This is an editorial from China Daily.

Since the start of the crisis, China has been calling for a political settlement and pushing for peace talks. It has continuously called on parties to the conflict to engage in dialogue, so as to gradually de-escalate the situation before ultimately reaching a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire. Its position on the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II remains consistent. It maintains that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries should be respected, the purposes and principles of the United Nations Charter should be observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries given due regard, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported.

The talks in Riyadh were built on a previous phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, during which the two leaders agreed to work together toward a negotiated end to the crisis. This has enabled the two sides "to begin working on a path to ending the conflict in Ukraine as soon as possible in a way that is enduring, sustainable, and acceptable to all sides".

But there are growing concerns among European leaders and Ukrainian officials that they could be sidelined by the new US administration in any discussions about future peace in Ukraine as the US seems in a rush to get a deal done. It is to be hoped that the US is not just trading places; seeking an end to the crisis it has engineered in Europe so that it can concentrate on causing trouble in the Asia-Pacific.

If the world has learned anything from the past nearly four years of conflict, it should be that war benefits no one.

China hopes all parties can play a constructive role in accumulating the conditions to address the root causes of the crisis in Ukraine, and they will work together to establish a balanced, effective, and sustainable security framework for long-term peace and stability in Europe.