BEIJING, May 19. /TASS/. Moscow and Kiev took the first step towards resolving the Ukrainian conflict during talks in Istanbul, while China will continue to strive to reach a fair peace agreement, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a telephone conversation with his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski.

"The recent resumption of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, despite the differences in their positions, is the first step towards peace," Wang Yi said on the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. "China hopes that each side will continue to demonstrate its commitment to a political solution to the crisis through sustained dialogue, and that a just, lasting and binding peace agreement will be concluded."

Wang Yi said that under the principles put forward by President Xi Jinping on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, it is necessary to take into account the concerns of each side, as this is "an important guiding principle for advancing the political settlement process."

"China has always advocated peace and negotiations, and has never abandoned peace efforts, including the creation of the Friends of Peace Group together with the countries of the global South," he added.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul on May 16. Moscow and Kiev agreed to exchange prisoners under a "1,000 for 1,000" formula, present their detailed vision of a possible future ceasefire, and continue the negotiations. Head of the Russian delegation, Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said that Russia was satisfied with the outcome. He also said that Ukraine had requested direct talks between the leaders of the two countries, and Russia had taken "this request into consideration.".