European Union (EU) and China relations will depend on Beijing’s attitude to the war that Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched against Ukraine, European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed on Thursday.
China needs to formulate its attitude towards a just peace in Ukraine and choose its role in the military conflict, the EC president said in Brussels, noting that this is vital in building China-EU relations.
Any peace plan that actually consolidates Russia’s annexation is not viable, Leyen emphasized.
As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has an obligation to uphold the principles and values of the UN Charter.
Despite Russia’s war against Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Russia on a state visit, and has also declared his friendship with Putin “without limits”, the EC president reminded.
However, there are changes in the dynamics of China-Russia relations. It is obvious that China sees Putin’s weaknesses. It is obvious that the balance of power, which has been in favor of Russia for the past centuries, has now changed. China intends to use Russia in its interests, Leyen said.
