China urges calm after Putin puts nuclear deterrent on high alert

China Feb 28 (hindustan Times)- China on Monday said all sides involved in the Ukraine issue should remain calm after Russian President Vladimir Putin put his country’s nuclear deterrent on high alert, but reiterated its opposition to the use of what it calls illegal and unilateral sanctions following the move by western countries to block some Russians banks from the SWIFT international payments system.   

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s view that all countries’ legitimate security concerns should be taken seriously.  

Brushing off a call from the White House on Sunday for China to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wang said China always stands on the side of peace and justice and decides its position on the merits of the situation.  
Beijing has so far refused to condemn Putin’s actions in Ukraine or call it an “invasion”.