Xi, putin gravely concerned

China and Russia issued a joint statement on Tuesday expressing "grave concern" over the political crisis in Ukraine and calling for dialogue to resolve the situation.

President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed the joint statement in Shanghai after talks earlier in the day.

In the statement, the two sides urged all parties concerned to exercise restraint, avoid escalating the conflict and seek a peaceful and political settlement.

The statement called on all parties in Ukraine to participate in a comprehensive national dialogue and jointly develop a concept for the future constitutional development of the country, in an effort to fully protect the basic rights and freedoms of citizens.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/21/2014 page11)