Munich Security Conference: China sends 'Stop' sign to Putin

It came as a surprise to many, perhaps including Russian President, Vladimir Putin.

At the Munich Security Conference, Chinese Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, spoke out clearly against Russian interference in Ukraine.

He called for a peaceful settlement to the Ukrainian conflict and a return to the Minsk Agreement.

"Why do not all parties sit down, have detailed talks, and set a timetable for how to implement this agreement?" Foreign Minister Yi asked.

He said this is what all sides should be doing, and what they should focus on, rather than create tension, panic and perhaps open the door for war.

The Chinese foreign minister added that all countries should take responsibility and find a peaceful solution to the conflict.

Territorial integrity

The Minsk Agreement is a peace plan brokered by France and Germany in 2015 for the conflict in eastern Ukraine where Russian-backed separatists are fighting Ukrainian government troops.

It states that the two pro-Russian breakaway regions are autonomous parts of Ukraine.

However, Kiev has not yet introduced the Autonomy Act.

"The sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of every country must be protected and respected," the Chinese foreign minister said.

"This is one of the basic criteria of international relations," he added via videoconference.

Ukraine, he said, is no exception here.

NATO's eastward expansion

The Chinese foreign minister once again opposed NATO's eastward expansion.

He said the Cold War had already come to an end a long ago.

"NATO was a byproduct of the Cold War era," he said.

Foreign Minister Yi explained that from China's point of view, eastward expansion hardly guarantees lasting peace and security in Europe.

He surprised almost all political observers, in the light of close relations between China and Russia.