“China can not close its eyes”

The European Union (EU) has called on China to put pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. “China can not turn a blind eye to Russia’s violation of international law in Ukraine,” Council of Europe President Charles Michel said after a video conference with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and President Xi Jinping.

“Nobody cares about this war, especially China,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who described the meeting as “sober”. “Equal distances are not enough,” von der Layen said. “If China takes responsibility, there are only five members of the Security Council and it can influence Russia’s withdrawal. And in any case, if China does not support sanctions, do not delay them. We have talked very clearly about this.”

However, China does not seem to have responded clearly to European demands. If anything, they agreed to “work together” to maintain world peace, says a Chinese spokesman. Explaining COVID, the Global Economic Challenges and the “Ukraine Crisis”, Xi added: “As two great global powers, two great markets, two great civilizations, China and the European Union must provide the factors for the stabilization of the world.”

“If you actively provided military support and weapons to Russia and helped bypass sanctions, you would no longer be neutral. And what we are looking for are guarantees that China has no intention of supporting Russia in this war. “It is with this precondition that the President of the Council of Europe Charles Michel and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Layen met with China this Friday via video conference. “And if another step is taken to stop this conflict, it will have a positive effect. Of course, it will be well received by all Europeans. In fact, he is welcomed by the whole world, “diplomatic sources explained.

“China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, has a responsibility to maintain global order,” public sources said.

“The international community, especially China and the European Union, have a mutual responsibility to use joint influence and diplomacy to end the Russian war in Ukraine and to end the humanitarian crisis,” said Charles Michel, President of the European Council.

Diplomatic sources explain the context in which the summit was reached: “Unfortunately, over the past year we have had several problems: human rights, sanctions against MEPs and our diplomatic institutions, persistent trade barriers and action against Lithuania affecting how China views Europe. And creates a difficult political environment. And, of course, the February 4 joint statement between President Xi Jinping and President Putin, which heightened concerns about China’s intentions for a Russian war that poses a direct threat to our security, violates fundamental European security principles.

Diplomatic sources claim that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “poses a threat to the rule of law, to its influence on the global economy, to its food supply.” We are already seeing the impact of our trade on EU and Chinese exchanges, which are six times larger than China with Russia. And, of course, none of this can be in China’s interests. ”

The discussion, according to sources, was intended to focus on the crisis with Russia: “Not only if Russian aggression is a violation of the UN Charter and fundamental principles that China also adheres to, such as territorial integrity, but also its economic consequences. It also does not benefit China in terms of a thriving global economy. Also, there is a very important stage, the CPC Congress, at the end of this year. In this context, both presidents call on President Xi Jinping to exert influence on China to also try to stop these hostilities. ”

“It is no secret that China balances a position that is in its interests,” diplomatic sources said. We have already seen it. ”

In this regard, the EU recalls that trade between China and Europe accounts for 13.7% of China’s trade. Trade volume with the US is 12.5% ​​in 2021, while China’s total trade with Russia is 2.4%. “Do you want to endanger it?” Do you want to threaten the global economy and the stability and growth prospects of your own country? “We already have the impact of the war on the world economy,” diplomatic sources said.

The conversation also touched on human rights: “It would be unrealistic to try to cover up some of the differences we have. There are differences in the coercion and pressure that have been applied to Lithuania, and the challenge to the integrity of the single market. Are the challenges we have outlined in Hong Kong. There is tension in the South China Sea; “There are human rights issues that the European Union attaches great importance to.”