ASEAN calls for peace, dialogue between Russia, Ukraine

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Top diplomats of Southeast Asia’s main regional bloc on Sunday called for peace and dialogue between Russia and Ukraine.

Expressing “deep concern” over “armed hostilities” in Ukraine, foreign ministers of the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv to end the conflict.

“We call on all relevant parties to exercise maximum restraint and make utmost efforts to pursue dialogues through all channels, including diplomatic means to contain the situation, to de-escalate tensions and seek peaceful resolution in accordance with international law, the principles of the UN Charter and Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asian,” the ministers said in a joint statement.

The ASEAN’s call for peace and dialogue came as the Russian military intervention in Ukraine entered its fourth day on Sunday, triggering global condemnation and a raft of sanctions against Moscow.

“We believe that there is still room for a peaceful dialogue to prevent the situation from getting out of control,” read the statement, which was released on Sunday by Cambodia, the current ASEAN chair.