European diplomacy chief Josep Borrell warned this Tuesday that China’s positions on Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine will determine “the quality of the European Union’s (EU) relations” with Beijing.
In a statement to the press accompanied by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy pointed out that one of the issues raised in this morning’s bilateral discussion was the role of China in the conflict, which he again regretted, given its proximity to Moscow, “the aggressor”.
“It’s been more than a year now [o Presidente russo, Vladimir] Putin has begun destroying Ukraine and seems determined to continue his ruthless slaughter and destruction. And he keeps betting on climbing, despite not achieving anything. His latest nuclear move, the transfer of nuclear weapons to Belarus, constitutes a further escalation and poses a direct threat to European security.” began to notice.
Borrell then noted that “ironically, this comes after Chinese President Xi [Jinping] Visit Moscow and mention the need for peace and agree on the need not to move nuclear weapons abroad. And a few days later, Russia deployed tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.”
“We discussed with Secretary Blinken China’s role and support for Russia’s violation of the United Nations Charter. There is a clear expectation that a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council will stand up for international order. of the rules, and China has a moral obligation to contribute to a just peace. It cannot side with the aggressor or support him militarily. This is our message to China,” he said, emphasizing that this is at all times transferred to Beijing.
The head of diplomacy recalled that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is traveling to Beijing today in the company of French President Emmanuel Macron after Spain’s head of government, Pedro Sánchez, traveled to China last week. and noted that he will travel to Beijing himself next week.
However, these diplomatic efforts are determined by China’s positions on the war in Ukraine, he reiterated.
“We have been clear. China’s views on atrocities and war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine will determine the quality of our relations with Beijing,” he said.
Blinken noted that “today’s discussions reinforced an idea that has been apparent for some time: relations between the United States and the European Union have never been stronger or more important.”
“After more than a year of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, the challenges for transatlantic relations could not be greater,” he said, congratulating the United States and the European Union for their close cooperation, and “with a broad coalition of partners across the whole world to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself, its people, its territory and the right to choose its course”.
Blinken thanked the “extraordinary support of the European Union” to Ukraine in a wide variety of areas, including through the sanctions against Russia, and emphasized the strong military support that the 27 have provided to Kiev, notably welcoming the recent announcement of two billion additional euro worth of ammunition agreed upon by the community bloc.
Finally, the US Secretary of State said that one of the topics to be discussed at the EU-US Energy Ministerial Council is how to make concerted efforts to progressively reduce dependence on Russian energy.
Source: DN
