Ukraine's top diplomat said on Wednesday, after a day of "very deep and concentrated" talks in China, that Kyiv was prepared for talks on the conflict with Russia provided Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity were fully respected.

Beijing has been a key player in helping Russia evade Western sanctions imposed after Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Hungary called on the European Union to broker a solution with Ukraine after Kyiv decided to bar the transit of crude from a major Russian oil supplier.

Hungary will block European Union refunds for member states that gave munitions to Ukraine until Kyiv allows the transit of oil from Russia's Lukoil through a pipeline over its territory, the Hungarian foreign minister said on Tuesday.

Hungary and Slovakia have complained to the European Commission that Ukrainian sanctions on the Russian oil company Lukoil are in violation of an association agreement with the European Union. A spokesman for the commission confirmed on Tuesday the receipt of a letter of complaint from Hungary and Slovakia concerning a ban on the transit of oil from Russia via Ukraine.