China and Pakistan share concern about "spillover effects of unilateral sanctions" on Russia over its war against Ukraine and called for a cease-fire and diplomatic resolution of the crisis, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on March 22.
Old allies China and Pakistan have refrained from condemning Russia over its February 24 invasion of Ukraine, unlike Western countries that have imposed unprecedented financial and corporate sanctions in response to what Russian President Vladimir Putin calls a "special military operation."
"Both expressed concerns about the spillover effects of unilateral sanctions," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement following a meeting on March 21 in Pakistan between the neighbors' foreign ministers.
"Both called for a cease-fire through diplomatic dialogue and hope that based on the principle of indivisible security, a fundamental solution to the Ukraine problem can be found,” the ministry said.
Pakistan's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement on the talks in Islamabad, echoing the call for a cease-fire, but it did not mention concern about sanctions.