China welcomes all diplomatic efforts to promote a political settlement in Ukraine and calls on Russia and Ukraine to continue the negotiation process, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the UN Zhang Jun said.

"We call on Russia and Ukraine to remain committed to the general direction of a political settlement and come to an agreed solution that would take into account the legitimate interests of both sides and contribute to lasting peace and security in Europe," the diplomat said at a UN Security Council meeting.

"The most important thing now is to reduce the level of tension, avoid civilian casualties, intensify diplomatic efforts and return to the path of political settlement as soon as possible," he stressed.