China To Bear Consequences For Supporting Russia: EU

Web Desk — The EU warned China’s leader Xi Jinping at a virtual summit on Friday that supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine could harm business relations between the two economic superpowers.

The EU and US are concerned that Beijing’s refusal to condemn the invasion indicates it could be willing to help the Kremlin sidestep sanctions or even supply support equipment.

“No European would support Russia’s ability to wage war.” It would also cause major reputational damage to China here in Europe, said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen.

“The business community is closely monitoring the events and assessing how countries are positioning themselves. This is a matter of trust, of reliability, and, of course, of decisions on long-term investments.” Von der Leyen emphasized that “China has influence over Russia, and we expect China to take responsibility for ending this war and that Russia returns to a peaceful negotiation solution.”

Chinese state media reported that Xi told the EU the two sides should “play a constructive role on China-EU relations and major issues concerning global peace and development, as well as provide some stabilizing factors to a turbulent world.”

A Chinese foreign ministry official said after the first round of talks involving premier Li Keqiang that the two sides “agreed to work together to maintain peace, stability, and prosperity in the world”.

Relations between the EU and its largest trading partner China were already strained prior to Moscow’s assault on Ukraine, and last year’s summit was canceled because ties deteriorated.