The Russia-Ukraine conflict has taken an increasingly ugly turn in recent weeks as both sides appear to be intent on including civilians and civilian infrastructure among their attack targets to try and inflict as heavy losses as possible on each other.

Both sides should realize that as immovable neighbors their conflict, for which they have already paid a heavy price, cannot last forever and it is imperative to seek a political resolution of the crisis so as to pave the way for the establishment of a lasting fair and workable peace mechanism in the Europe continent.

It is evident to most parties that the Ukraine crisis is an outburst of the long-accumulated tensions and hostility between Russia and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which was triggered by the former's rising security concerns caused by the latter's continuous eastward expansion since the end of the Cold War. Apart from the United States, a major supporter of its proxy Ukraine, no parties benefit from the crisis, including the US' European allies.

Both Moscow and Kyiv, as well as the European Union, should bear that big picture in mind and give a serious thought to the question of how long they will continue to foot the bill for Washington's geopolitical game in Europe.

That being said, both Russia and Ukraine should exercise restraint and be rational, effectively comply with international humanitarian law, and avoid attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure. Preventing an expansion of the conflict into a protracted all-out war between the two nations serves their common interests, and is in line with the expectation of the world, except Washington.

There are no winners in conflict and confrontation, and military means will not bring lasting peace. An early cease-fire and a political settlement are in the interests of all parties, and the priority is to cool down the situation by observing the three principles of no expansion of the battlefield, no escalation of fighting, and no fanning of the flames by any party.

On the one hand, the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states should be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter should be adhered to; on the other hand, the legitimate security concerns of all states should be taken seriously, and all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis should be supported.

The international community, based on an objective and impartial position, should pool its efforts to create conditions conducive to putting an early end to the fighting and play an active role in this regard. China will continue to actively promote peace talks in its own way and make unremitting efforts and play a constructive role in promoting a political settlement of the Ukraine issue.