BEIJING, May 7 -- China on Wednesday urged all parties concerned to exercise restraint to alleviate tensions in Ukraine.

"We are deeply worried about the current situation in Ukraine," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said at a daily news briefing.

In response to a question on the United States' warning of sanctions on Russia, Hua said China has always been opposed to sanctions or threats to impose sanctions in international relations.

Washington has warned of broader sanctions against Russia if it disrupts Ukraine's presidential elections scheduled for May 25, threatening to target its energy, arms and finance sectors.

"(We) call on all sides to remain calm and restrained, and end all violence and military actions in line with the consensus reached in the Geneva talks," said the spokeswoman.

The Geneva Statement, adopted after the April 17 meeting held by Russia, the United States, the European Union and Ukraine, calls for all illegal armed formations to be disarmed in Ukraine, all administrative buildings unblocked and all protesters pardoned, except for those who have committed serious crimes.