Russia's Lavrov, China Envoy Talk On Ukraine Following EU Meetings

(MNI) - London- Wires carrying comments from the Russian Foreign Ministry stating that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs Li Hui regarding the prospects for resolving the conflict in Ukraine. Foreign Ministry states that: 'Lavrov reaffirmed his commitment to a politico-diplomatic resolution of the Ukrainian conflict...The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted the obstacles created by Kyiv and Western curators for the resumption of negotiations...The Minister expressed gratitude to Beijing for its balanced position on the Ukrainian crisis...Both sides expressed readiness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries aimed at maintaining peace.'

• Li's meeting with Lavrov comes a day after he met with senior EU officials on the same topic. Deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service Enrique Mora said after the meeting that , "The EU expects China … to play a constructive role and to use every occasion to uphold and promote the UN Charter and international law, and to recall the necessity to respect the principles of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity,”
• SCMP reports that Li has faced a united stance from the EU and its member states towards the Chinese approach to the war, arguing that "Beijing “cannot expect to be good friends” with the bloc without Chinese efforts to end Russia’s assault against its neighbour." according to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.