China's ambassador to the United Nations on Monday called for a diplomatic solution and peaceful means to solve international disputes.

"China has been paying close attention to the latest development of the situation in Ukraine," Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, said at a Security Council meeting on Ukraine. "At present, all parties concerned must exercise restraint, and avoid any action that may fuel tensions."

"We welcome and encourage every effort for a diplomatic solution, and call on all parties concerned to continue dialogue and consultation, and seek reasonable solutions to address each other's concerns on the basis of equality and mutual respect," Zhang said.

Zhang said the current situation in Ukraine is a result of many complex factors. "China always makes its own position according to the merits of the matter itself. We believe that all countries should solve international disputes by peaceful means in line with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday signed two decrees recognizing the "Lugansk People's Republic" and the "Donetsk People's Republic" as independent and sovereign states. He later instructed Russian armed forces to ensure peace in the two areas.