Beijing - On Wednesday, China requested clarification from a high-ranking Ukrainian official following his comments regarding India and China's approach to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The official had expressed concerns that India and China were not adequately considering the consequences of their actions in the ongoing crisis.

The Ukrainian presidential adviser, Mykhailo Podolyak, was quoted by Russia's official news outlet, Sputnik, as saying, "What's wrong with India, China, and so forth? The problem is that they are not analyzing the consequences of their steps; these countries have weak intellectual potential, unfortunately." He further noted that although India was involved in scientific endeavors, such as launching a lunar rover, it did not necessarily indicate a full understanding of the complexities of the modern world.

These remarks were reportedly made during a television interview, with excerpts shared on social media, which was formerly known as Twitter.

In response to Podolyak's comments and considering the backdrop of India and China's positions on the Ukraine issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that the Ukrainian official should provide an explanation for his statements. Mao Ning clarified that she was not aware of the full context of the remarks and suggested that it would be best for Podolyak to offer clarification himself. She emphasized that China consistently acts responsibly to promote peace talks and facilitate a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis, urging Podolyak to correctly interpret China's position.

Mao Ning's statement came in the context of China's commitment to a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis, aligning with its responsible stance on the matter.

It's worth noting that at the recent G20 Summit held in New Delhi, the leaders' declaration refrained from mentioning the Russian invasion of Ukraine explicitly. Instead, it made a general call for all states to respect each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty. This shift in language was widely perceived as a compromise by Western powers regarding the conflict.