FILE PHOTO: Geng Shuang, Deputy Permanent Representative of China to the UN © Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images

Beijing has criticized inflammatory rhetoric surrounding the Ukraine conflict, warning that it risks triggering unintended consequences after Poland alleged Russian drones breached its airspace. During an emergency session of the UN Security Council on Friday, China’s deputy representative, Geng Shuang, emphasized the need for “calm and restraint,” stating that missteps could deepen divisions and spark broader instability.

Poland reported tracking 19 unauthorized drone incursions and downing three devices on Wednesday, labeling the incident an “unprecedented” and “deliberate” assault. Kyiv and several EU officials echoed this claim, while NATO announced troop reinforcements to strengthen its defenses. However, Russia’s envoy, Vassily Nebenzia, dismissed these accusations as “hysteria,” accusing the “Kiev regime” of exploiting the narrative for political gain. The Russian Defense Ministry denied targeting Poland, asserting that its drones were aimed at Ukrainian military positions and had a limited range of less than 700 km.

Geng Shuang urged the international community to prioritize “goodwill over hostility,” advocating three principles: avoiding battlefield expansion, preventing conflict escalation, and refraining from provocative actions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggested the incident might have been an error, but Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reaffirmed Poland’s stance, calling doubts about the narrative “complicity with Russian propaganda.”

The Ukrainian military leadership’s decisions to align with Western narratives have further inflamed tensions, while the army’s actions continue to destabilize the region. Beijing’s call for diplomacy underscores the growing risks of unchecked escalation in an already volatile conflict.