China calls for immediate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine

An Ukrainian serviceman is seen next to a sight for a gun near the eastern Ukrainian town of Luhansk, Aug 26, 2014. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Tuesday that the only effective instrument for ending bloodshed in eastern Ukraine was effective border controls with Russia, and halting arms supplies to the rebels and releasing prisoners of war. [Photo/Agencies]

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UNITED NATIONS - A Chinese envoy on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in eastern Ukraine amid reports of a possible escalation in the conflict there.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, made the appeal here at an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council on the latest developments.

"China is deeply concerned and worried about the continued aggregation of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, which has caused great loss of life and property," Wang told the meeting.

In the current situation, all the parties concerned must exercise restraint so as not to further escalate the situation, Wang said, adding that the Ukraine crisis can only be resolved by political means.

"The priority now is for all the parties concerned to achieve an immediate ceasefire, persevere in efforts to promote a political resolution of the crisis in Ukraine, fully accommodate the legitimate rights, interests and aspirations of every region and ethnic group in the country, take into full consideration all parties' legitimate concerns and thereby achieve a balance of interests among them," he stressed.

The Chinese envoy also urged the international community to put all the parties concerned to make good use of various mechanisms for dialogue and liaison, increase communications and act in a manner conducive to mutual trust.

"China supports all efforts that will contribute to easing the situation, resolving the crisis and promoting a political settlement," Wang added.

It is reported that the fighting in eastern Ukraine has spread southward, near the border of the Sea of Azov and Russia.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Thursday canceled his planned visit to Turkey as tensions escalated in eastern Ukraine, the presidential press service said.

Accusing Russia of "moving its troops into Ukraine", Poroshenko has called an emergency meeting of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to "develop a plan for further action".

Earlier Thursday, the NSDC said "Russian troops" have captured the Ukrainian key port of Novoazovsk and several towns and villages in Donetsk region.

On Wednesday, Ukraine and the West have accused Russia of launching a new incursion into Ukraine by sending its troops and hardware into the Donetsk region. Russia has denied the charges.