Ukraine war: China unveils 12-point peace plan as it calls for ceasefire
China has called for a ceasefire and peace talks in Ukraine on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
Beijing’s foreign ministry urged all parties to “avoid fanning the flames and aggravating tensions” in the hope of preventing the crisis from “deteriorating further or spiralling out of control”.
A paper published by the ministry on Friday warned “conflict and war benefit no one” and said everyone involved must “stay rational and exercise restraint”.
But the proposal has been branded an “attempt at public relations” by China, which one year ago said it has a “no limits friendship” with Russia.
It has yet to condemn its ally or describe the war as an “invasion” – and has also criticised Western sanctions imposed on Moscow.
President Xi Jinping is expected to deliver a “peace speech” on Friday to mark the anniversary, when he is likely to call for peace while avoiding direct criticism of Vladimir Putin’s regime.
This week the US expressed concerns China was contemplating supplying “lethal weapons” to Russia which would have “serious consequences”.
However, a 12-point peace plan for Ukraine unveiled by Beijing demands:
• The sovereignty of all countries is respected
• Abandoning the Cold War mentality
• Ceasing hostilities
• Resuming peace talks
• Resolving the humanitarian crisis
• Protecting civilians and prisoners of war (PoWs)
• Keeping nuclear power plants safe
• Reducing strategic risks
• Facilitating grain exports
• Stopping unilateral sanctions
• Keeping industrial and supply chains stable
• Promoting post-conflict reconstruction
A map of the conflict on the one-year anniversary
Nuclear wars must be avoided
In addition to the 12-point plan, the document said “nuclear weapons must not be used” and “nuclear wars must not be fought”.
“We oppose development, use of biological or chemical weapons by any country under any circumstances,” the paper said.
Earlier this week Vladimir Putin suspended participation in a key nuclear treaty – as he blamed the West for starting the Ukraine war and vowed to “resolve the objectives” of Russia’s “special military operation”.
Ukraine has repeatedly rejected calls for a ceasefire while its territory is occupied by Russian troops.
‘An attempt at public relations’
Kyiv has said a break in fighting would enable the Kremlin to regroup its forces.
The EU’s ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, said the paper would be studied closely – but insisted it was not a peace proposal and did not mention an aggressor.
Charge d’affaires at the Ukrainian embassy in Beijing, Zhanna Leshchynska, called the paper a “good sign” but questioned China’s neutrality.
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‘Beijing watching Ukraine war closely’
“If it is neutrality, then China should talk to both sides, Russia and Ukraine,” she said.
“Now we see the Chinese side mostly talking with Russia, but not Ukraine.
“We will not agree to anything that keeps Ukrainian territories occupied and puts our people at the aggressor’s mercy,” Ms Leshchynska said in an address at the EU mission to China.
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International security expert Li Mingjiang dismissed China’s proposal as an “attempt at public relations”, adding: “I’m not convinced that this policy is going to improve their credibility in being an honest broker.”
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Shi Yinhong, a professor of international relations at Beijing’s Renmin University, said neither side is likely to pay much attention to the proposal – but China needed to clarify its stance.
“China feels it necessary to repeat its self-perceived neutrality at this juncture, to save some international inference by not only criticising NATO but also distinguishing itself from Russia’s behaviour,” Shi said.
Israel pounded the outskirts of Gaza City overnight, as Benjamin Netanyahu’s government vowed to press on with a planned offensive on the city.
Families streamed out of the city as the explosions hit.
“I stopped counting the times I had to take my wife and three daughters and leave my home in Gaza City,” said Mohammad, 40.
“No place is safe, but I can’t take the risk. If they suddenly begin the invasion, they will use heavy fire.”
Mahmoud Abedrabo mourns over the body of his son Hamada in Gaza City on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Others said they would prefer to die and not leave.
“We are not leaving, let them bomb us at home,” said Aya, 31, who has a family of eight, adding that they couldn’t afford to buy a tent or pay for the transportation.
“We are hungry, afraid and don’t have money,” she said.
Mourners pray next to the body of Palestinian boy Hamada Abedrabo on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Witnesses said that overnight they heard nonstop explosions in Zeitoun and Shejaia.
Tanks shelled houses and roads in Sabra, and buildings were blown up in Jabalia.
On Sunday, the IDF said its forces had returned to combat in Jabalia to strengthen its control of the area and dismantle militant tunnels.
Smoke rises following an Israeli strike in Gaza City. Pic: Reuters
It added that the operation there “enables the expansion of combat into additional areas and prevents Hamas terrorists from returning to operate in these areas.”
This month, Israel approved a plan to seize control of Gaza City. The offensive isn’t expected to start for another few weeks.
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In the meantime, mediators in Egypt and Qatar are trying to resume ceasefire talks between the two sides.
On Friday, Israel’s defence minister Israel Katz said that Gaza City will be razed unless Hamas releases all its remaining hostages and ends the war on Israel’s terms.
Mourners transport the body of Ahmed Balata on 24 August. Pic: Reuters
Around half of Gaza’s two million residents currently live in the city and on Friday a global hunger monitor said that Gaza City and its surrounding areas are officially suffering from famine that will likely spread.
Israel said the monitor ignores steps Israel has taken since late July to increase aid supplies into and across Gaza.
Eight more people died of malnutrition and starvation in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry on Saturday.
281 people, including 114 children, have now died of malnutrition and starvation since the war started, according to the ministry.
The war began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas-led gunmen killed around 1,200 people in southern Israel, mainly civilians, and took 251 hostages.
Since then, Israel has killed at least 62,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, and internally displaced nearly its entire population.
Two married couples have died after a British car veered off the road and crashed in Germany, according to police.
The fatal accident happened shortly after midnight on Saturday in the trees near a highway in the Kassel district, north of Hesse in central Germany.
The 32-year-old male driver, a 31-year-old female passenger, a 32-year-old female passenger, and a 30-year-old female passenger all died at the scene, despite the efforts of German emergency services.
Sky News understands UK officials have not been contacted for assistance.
At roughly 12.30am on Saturday, the car appears to have veered off the road and crashed into nearby trees around 30m from the road, according to the Kassel police department.
Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
One of the victim’s phones automatically alerted the emergency services to the incident, who sent an ambulance to the scene.
Soon, fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles and emergency support vehicles were all dispatched.
When emergency workers arrived, the car was lying on its side, wedged between several trees.
It wasn’t until they removed the roof that they found all four passengers.
Pic: Feuerwehr Reinhardshagen
The accident happened on Highway L3229
The emergency workers who dealt with the victims were immediately supported by the specialist mental health workers at the fire station in Reinhardshagen.
“This high number of deaths is an extraordinary operation for our Reinhardshagen Volunteer Fire Department,” said a fire department spokesperson.
“For some of the emergency personnel, it is the first time they have been confronted with death in this way.
“Therefore, a great deal is being done to help us process these images. We will also discuss this among ourselves and within families, because not everyone can easily shake off what they have seen.”
An investigation into the accident is ongoing and is being conducted by the Hofgeismar police station.
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