The European Union has slammed Beijing for supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, calling it a “flagrant violation” of the country’s obligations to the UN.
“You cannot take the side of the aggressor,” said the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, before a trip to Beijing by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“A permanent member of the UN Security Council is supposed to uphold a rules-based international order, and China has a moral duty to contribute to a just world,” he added.
Borrell was uncharacteristically blunt in his denunciation of a country increasingly turning from EU partner to rival on the world stage.
These comments set the stage for two influential European leaders to stress during their visit to China that relations between the EU and Beijing will depend on China’s friendship with Russia.
In talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Macron and von der Leyen are expected to warn China against sending weapons to Russia.
On the eve of the visit, von der Leyen had a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to coordinate strategy.
Although Beijing claims to remain neutral in the war, Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin felt like meeting real friends.
“They agreed on the need not to deploy nuclear weapons abroad,” Borrell said, commenting on the meeting in Moscow. “A few days later, Russia deployed tactical weapons, tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus.”
Borrell was referring to Putin’s announcement of his intention to deploy such weapons.
“Ironically, this happened after Chinese President Xi visited Moscow and spoke about the need for peace,” he added.
Borrell called the prospect of deploying such weapons in Belarus “another nuclear adventure”, saying it poses a “direct threat to European security”.
Borrell said he hoped Beijing would change its mind.
“We have made it clear to China that its position on Russian atrocities and war crimes will determine the quality of our relationship with Beijing,” he said.
Macron and von der Leyen’s talks with Xi Jinping are expected to focus on trade, the war in Ukraine and climate change.
The two European officials are expected to stress the importance of China’s role in peacekeeping and tell Xi Jinping that he should contact Zelenskyy directly after a visit to Moscow in March.
They will also urge him to pressure Putin to stop threatening to use nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine.
The EU does not expect significant changes in China’s position, but considers it important to continue to engage with the superpower, especially on trade issues.
