De-escalate, avoid expansion of battlefield: Brazil, China tell Russia, Ukraine

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) - China and Brazil on Thursday pitched a three-point de-escalation formula to bring a political solution to the Russia-Ukraine war, which includes, no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no provocation by any party.

The call was made during a meeting between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and chief advisor to the president of Brazil, Celso Amorim, in Beijing, said a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

"The two sides believe that dialogue and negotiation are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis. All parties should create conditions for the resumption of direct dialogue and push for the de-escalation of the situation until the realization of a comprehensive ceasefire," the statement read.

China and Brazil, it added, support an international peace conference held at a proper time that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties as well as fair discussion of all peace plans.

Efforts are needed to increase humanitarian assistance to relevant regions and prevent a humanitarian crisis on a larger scale. Attacks on civilians or civilian facilities must be avoided, and civilians, including women and children, and prisoners of war (POWs) must be protected, it went on to say.

The two sides also supported the exchange of POWs between the parties to the conflict.

"The use of weapons of mass destruction, particularly nuclear weapons, and chemical and biological weapons must be opposed. All possible efforts must be made to prevent nuclear proliferation and avoid a nuclear crisis," it said.