EU Confronts China: Push Putin on Ukraine, Address Trade Imbalances

Brussels has delivered a stark message to Beijing, urging China to leverage its influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, even as relations between the two global powers reach a critical juncture. During high-level talks in Beijing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President Charles Costa underscored the deepening imbalances in their cooperation, calling for concrete solutions to address economic disparities.

Von der Leyen explicitly stated that EU-China relations have arrived at an “inflection point,” emphasizing the need for both sides to acknowledge respective concerns. Council President Costa echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgency for progress on trade and economic issues to foster a more balanced and reciprocal partnership.

Furthermore, Costa directly challenged Beijing on its role concerning Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, we call on China to use its influence on Russia to respect the U.N. Charter and to bring an end to its war of aggression against Ukraine,” he asserted.

The diplomatic pressure comes shortly after the EU imposed sanctions on two Chinese banks last week, a move that drew “strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition” from Beijing. Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledged the “critical juncture” in EU-China relations, setting the stage for ongoing complex negotiations.

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