Borrell calls on China to influence Russia to end its war against Ukraine

During a meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held in Laos on Friday as part of the ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell called on China to promote the peace process in Ukraine and stop the export of dual-purpose goods to Russia, which allows the aggressor to increase the production of weapons.

That's according to a statement posted on the website of the European External Action Service, Ukrinform reports.

"EU High Representative/Vice-President (HR/VP) Josep Borrell met with Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi, in the margins of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Vientiane, Laos on 26 July. They discussed EU-China relations. The HR/VP said that the EU and China need to acknowledge their respective concerns. Those are first of all China’s support to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which impacts negatively EU-China relations. The HR/VP explained why the European Union considers Russia’s war against Ukraine is an existential threat to Europe. He expressed his concern because China’s exports of large amounts of dual-use goods and items represent a support to Russia to build up its military equipment," the statement said.

Borrell asked China to use its influence on Russia to contribute to end the war. He asked China to support the Ukraine peace process and considered that the joint statement with Brazil of May 2024 does not go in that direction.

At the end of May this year, China and Brazil announced a joint position regarding the political settlement of the "crisis in Ukraine," declaring their support for a peace conference recognized by Ukraine and Russia, with the equal participation of all parties and the discussion of all peace plans.

At the same time, the parties formulated six points, the implementation of which, in their opinion, will make it possible to return peace to Ukraine, without mentioning the restoration of territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba this week made a working visit to China, where he explained Ukraine's position on achieving a lasting and just peace after the end of Russian aggression.