China said Friday that communication and diplomacy are the only ways to address the Russia-Ukraine situation.

China demanded a ceasefire and gradual de-escalation in a 12-point foreign ministry document on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ministry paper repeats China’s statement since Russia’s “special military action” on Feb. 24 last year.

China has condemned Western sanctions on Russia but not its partner Russia or its “invasion” of its neighbor.

“War hurts everyone. All sides must remain logical and restrained to avoid fanning the flames and worsening tensions and escalating the crisis “The ministry’s paper stated.

The war began its second year with no conclusion, and Russia was isolated at the U.N., while U.N. leaders planned to support Ukraine.

On Friday, Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to give a “peace speech” without criticizing Russia to honor the occasion.

Ukraine refuses ceasefires because they allow Moscow to regroup.

Jorge Toledo, the E.U.’s ambE.U.’sdor to China, said Beijing’s paper was not a peace offering but that the E.U. wouE.U. Review it, expressing concern that it did not name an aggressor.

At a Beijing press conference, Toledo said China has a special duty to protect UN Charter values.

At the same briefing, Ukraine’s charge d’affaires termed China’s paper “a welcome sign” and expected greater political support from Beijing.

Zhanna Leshchynska, the Ukrainian envoy, hoped China would encourage Russia to end the war and evacuate its soldiers.

Leshchynska said: “China should discuss neutrality with Russia and Ukraine. China generally talks to Russia, not Ukraine.”

Xi has spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin but not Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy since the fighting began weeks after Beijing and Moscow pledged a “no limits” relationship.

Putin has threatened nuclear Armageddon by declaring plans to deploy new Sarmat multi-warhead intercontinental ballistic missiles this year, despite massive battlefield defeats in the Ukraine conflict.

China opposed nuclear weapons.

The foreign ministry stated nuclear weapons and wars should not be used. “We condemn any government developing or using biological and chemical weapons.”

On Thursday, Putin lauded “new frontiers” in China-Russia relations and invited Xi.

The White House said U.S. PU.S.dent Joe Biden would meet digitally with G7 leaders and Ukrainian leader Zelenskiy on Friday to commemorate the anniversary and announce further penalties against Russia’s war effort.

China warned that unilateral sanctions and that maximum pressure would not solve the crisis and “just generate new problems” because Russia had veto power in the U.N. SU.N.ity Council.

“China opposes unilateral UNSC-unauthorized sanctions. Stop utilizing unilateral sanctions and “long-arm jurisdiction” against other nations.”