Wang Yi: Minsk II “the only way”

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Xinhua MSC coverage, Febr 19

Main link: FMPRC press release, Febr 19

On February 19 in the evening, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, on invitation, took part in the 58th Munich Security Conference, gave a keynote speech by video link from Beijing. He answered the conference host’s questions concerning China’s approach and position concerning NATO eastward expansion, European security and the situation in Ukraine.

2022年2月19日晚，国务委员兼外长王毅在北京应邀以视频方式出席第58届慕尼黑安全会议中国专场并发表主旨讲话。王毅现场回答了主持人有关中方对于北约东扩、欧洲安全和乌克兰局势态度立场的问题。

Wang Yi said that the Cold War has long ended. Being a result of the Cold War years, NATO should judge the hour and size up the situation and make necessary adjustments. If NATO blindly expanded eastward, will that be conducive for maintaining long-term peace and stability in Europe? This is a question our European friends should seriously reflect on.

王毅表示，冷战早已结束，北约作为当年冷战的产物，应该审时度势，作出必要调整。如果北约一味东扩，是否有利于维护欧洲的和平稳定，是否有利于实现欧洲长治久安？这是一个值得欧洲朋友认真思考的问题。

Wang Yi emphasized that all countries’sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity ought to be respected and protected as this was a fundamental standard in international relations, reflecting the United Nations Charter’s objectives. It was also a principled position that had always been upheld by China, and Ukraine was no exception. If anyone doubted China’s position on this issue, that was just a hype with ulterior motives, and a distortion of China’s position.

王毅强调，各国的主权、独立和领土完整都应当得到尊重和维护，因为这是国际关系的基本准则，体现的是联合国宪章的宗旨，也是中方一贯秉持的原则立场，对乌克兰也不例外。如果有人在此问题上质疑中方的态度，那就是别有用心的炒作，也是对中方立场的歪曲。

Wang Yi said that as a permanent Security Council member, China had always decided on its position based on the merit of the issue itself, thus handling international matters. China believed that concerning the Ukraine issue, one should get back to the Minsk II starting point. As this agreement was binding,  agreed upon by all parties after negotiations, and obtained the Security Council’s approval, it was the only way to solve the Ukraine issue. According to our understanding, both Russia and the European Union support Minsk II, and when I had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Blinken recently, America also expressed support. As that’s the case, why can’t the parties sit down together for a full discussion, produce a roadmap and a timetable towards a workable protocol? What every party needs to do now is to earnestly assume responsibility, make efforts for peace, rather than blindly pushing up raising tensions, creating panic and make war.

王毅表示，中国作为安理会常任理事国，一贯按照事情本身的是非曲直决定自身立场，处理国际事务。中方认为，在乌克兰问题上，现在应该尽快回到新明斯克协议这一原点。因为这一协议是当事方通过谈判达成的具有约束力的协议，得到了联合国安理会的核可，是解决乌克兰问题的唯一出路。据我了解，俄罗斯、欧盟方面都支持新明斯克协议，前不久我同美国国务卿布林肯通电话时，美方也表示支持。既然如此，为什么各方不能坐在一起进行充分讨论，制定出落实协议的路线图和时间表。当前各方需要做的是，切实负起责任，为和平而努力，而不是一味推高紧张，制造恐慌，甚至渲染战争。

As for the prospects of solving the Ukraine issue, Wang Yi said that Ukraine should become a bridge, connecting East and West, rather than a frontline state in the confrontation of powers. As for European security, all sides could raise their own concerns, with Russia’s reasonable security concerns being respected and taken seriously. China expected that all sides should find a solution through dialog and consultation.

至于乌克兰问题解决前景，王毅表示，乌克兰应当成为东西方沟通的桥梁，而不应该成为大国对抗的前沿。对于欧洲安全，各方都可以提出自己的关切，其中俄方的合理安全关切应该得到尊重和重视。中方期待各方通过对话协商，找到真正有利于维护欧洲安全的解决方案。

Tags: America, business, China, diplomacy, Europe, Germany, international, military, NATO, negotiations, Russia, Southeast Europe, Ukraine