A Chinese diplomat has taken the cudgels for Russia as the latter faces harsh criticisms and pressure from Western countries for backing the rebels in Eastern Ukraine.

"The West should abandon the 'zero-sum mentality' and take the real security concerns of Russia into consideration," according to Qu Xing, China's Ambassador to Belgium.

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Qu's comments are an unusual public show of understanding for Russia from China. China and Russia have frequently been taking the same side on many international diplomatic issues, but the envoy's statement may be seen as out of the ordinary at this time.

Prior to his statement, China had maintained its distance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

As quoted by Xinhua state news agency last week, Qu had blamed the Ukraine crisis to the competition between Russia and the West. He explained that the characteristic and the main cause of the battle is the "game" being played between Russia and the Western powers, including the United States and the European Union.

The diplomat also said the interventions by other countries only aggravated the crisis.

The Chinese ambassador warned that Moscow will feel that it is being unfairly treated if the West will not change its position. Washington's involvement in Ukraine could only serve as a distraction in its own foreign policy, he added.

Qu's statements come as the United States and its European allies discuss sanctions against Moscow.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier criticized Western countries for supposedly trying to control Russia and for allegedly forcing their ideology to the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, Ukraine military reports that Russia continues to send more tanks and troops toward the rebel-controlled town of Novoazovsk in Ukraine.

TagsUkraine, Russia, Ukraine crisis, Qu Xing