China and Belarus presidents call for Ukraine ceasefire

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, left, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a welcome ceremony held at the Great Hall of the People, in Beijing, on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 (CCTV via AP/PA)

The presidents of China and Belarus joined in urging a ceasefire and negotiations to bring about a political settlement to the Ukraine conflict.

The joint call came in a meeting in Beijing between Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russia, and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.