The Group of Friends for Peace had a "highly successful meeting" at the United Nations on Thursday at which the group called for Global South input on the conflict in Ukraine.

"Recognizing that there can be no settlement by military means only and that these deepen human suffering, from the very beginning, we have consistently advocated for an early peaceful resolution and the need to observe principles for de-escalation and the importance of non-expansion of the battlefield?and non-intensification of fighting," said Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, in a group statement.

"We firmly believe that only a negotiated political solution, including inclusive diplomacy and political means based on the UN Charter, can bring this conflict to an end."

Last September, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Brazil, China, South Africa, Egypt, Indonesia, Türkiye and other countries, as partners of the Global South committed to the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis, agreed to launch the Friends of Peace initiative on the Ukraine crisis at the platform of the United Nations.

The group said last year that the platform is not about taking sides in the conflict, engaging in bloc confrontation, or replacing existing platforms. It said it hopes to rely on the United Nations to bring together more Global South countries and send more objective, balanced and rational voices, so as to accumulate conditions and create an atmosphere for a cease-fire, an end to hostilities and the resumption of peace talks.

The platform is open and welcomes the joining of more like-minded countries, in particular, Global South countries.

"Deeply troubled by the prolonged hostilities and the immense negative impacts they have caused, we were among the first to call for an immediate and complete cease-fire — a call we firmly reiterate today," Fu said. "We believe that prioritizing peace and protecting innocent lives, particularly those of women and children, must remain at the forefront of all efforts."

Sérgio Fran?a Danese, Brazil's UN ambassador, said that "recent developments suggest that the conflict might be approaching a turning point, with the focus shifting from the battlefield to the negotiating table. We welcome this potential shift and see it as an opportunity to generate new momentum toward ending the conflict.

"This could mark a critical step toward peace and pave the way for meaningful and sustainable progress," he said.

"We urge all parties and stakeholders to embrace this opportunity and engage constructively in peace talks. The shared goal must be to find a just and lasting solution — one that addresses mutual concerns of the parties to the conflict and leads to a peace agreement negotiated directly by and acceptable to them," Danese said.

"We believe that the UN can play a role in fostering such diplomatic efforts and in the implementation of any peace agreement."

Danese said that the group is worried about the risks and crises arising from the conflict, which has caused repercussions affecting many countries, including those in the Global South.

"Issues such as food and energy security, as well as humanitarian assistance should be integral to the peace process, and the voices of the Global South should be heard and heeded in supporting peace in the region," he said.

"As the situation continues to evolve rapidly, we, as members of the Group of Friends for Peace, are committed to maintaining close engagement with one another and with all relevant parties," Danese said.

hengweili@chinadailyusa.com