U.N. Headquarters, New York City - June 22, 2026 (UNTV - For news purpose only/No archive/Not for other production use)
1. Security Council meeting in progress
2. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Sun Lei, deputy permanent representative of China to United Nations:
"Military confrontations will not resolve the problem. They will only escalate the conflict, further erode mutual trust and send the situation further out of control. We call on the parties concerned to stay calm and exercise restraint, strictly abide by international humanitarian law, refrain from targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers. Efforts should be made to de-escalate the situation and achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible."

FILE: U.N. Headquarters, New York City - Date Unknown (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
3. U.N. headquarters building
4. Various of U.N. flags
5. U.N. emblem

As the crisis in Ukraine continues to drag on with the situation on the battlefield intensifying and civilian suffering mounting, every effort should be made to de-escalate the situation and achieve a ceasefire and an end to hostilities, a Chinese envoy to the United Nations said on Monday.

Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine, Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said the recent severe antagonism between the parties concerned and the spiraling escalation of military confrontation would only cause the light of peace to fade further.

"This trend is highly dangerous and must be reversed as soon as possible," he said.

"Military confrontations will not resolve the problem. They will only escalate the conflict, further erode mutual trust and send the situation further out of control. We call on the parties concerned to stay calm and exercise restraint, strictly abide by international humanitarian law, refrain from targeting civilians, civilian infrastructure and humanitarian workers. Efforts should be made to de-escalate the situation and achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible," Sun said.

Underscoring that China's position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, the ambassador said China stands ready to work with the international community to strive for an early political settlement of the crisis.