“We welcome the proposals to convene this meeting promptly, which equitably guarantees the participation of Russia and Ukraine and the debate of all existing peace initiatives proposed by Beijing,” the minister said in statements to the Sputnik news agency.

Lavrov noted that “first of all, the cause of the crisis must be eliminated and the legitimate interests of the parties to the conflict must be guaranteed, with the subsequent signing of the respective agreements, always starting from the principle of equal and indivisible security for all states.”

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, Moscow highly appreciates Beijing’s constructive line in the context of the Ukrainian crisis. China understands the nature of the crisis origin. That is why China presented its conflict resolution plan in February 2023.

Furthermore, Lavrov recalled that last April President of China Xi Jinping urged to reduce tensions in the interests of peace and stability, instead of adding fuel to the fire and being guided exclusively by one’s own interests.

“Let’s hope that the West and Kiev will draw correct conclusions,” the Russian Foreign Minister resumed.

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