Beijing remained a laconic in front of the invitation of Europeans to involve it in searching for a solution on Ukraine.
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They wanted to make China not supporting Russia and do not allow him to circumvent the heavy sanctions that aim. The leaders of the European institutions, gathered for a virtual summit with the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang, then the President Xi Jinping, Friday 1 Er did they obtain any guarantee from their interlocutors? The few issues that journalists were allowed to ask them at the end of this discussion were sufficient to indicate that the answer is negative.
Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, have made evasive answers, lack of a clear commitment from the Beijing leaders. “The Prime Minister and the President repeated their willingness to commit to peace and security,” said the Chairman of the Council. We hope that our arguments were heard and that China takes into account the question of its image and the ‘importance of its relations with Europe. “
No tangible proof
In Brussels, the meeting ended in a brief release of the only European leaders. They emphasized China’s special responsibility, “Global Actor”, a member of the UN Security Council and power that maintains close relationships with Moscow. They expressed their “vigilance” as for financial, military assistance or via the purchase of hydrocarbons that Beijing could bring to Russia but, at this stage, their entourage affirms no tangible evidence in this regard.
To convince their interlocutors that they have an interest in preserving a world in peace and balanced relations with the EU, other arguments needed. Economic, with a reminder: China exports annually about 462 billion to Europe, about 15% of the overall amount of its exports, while only 2.4% go to Russia. Clearly, proof of effective support in Moscow could have a cost for the Chinese economy. And, adds a Brussels diplomat for President XI, who will have to be re-elected in October.
this e EU-China summit, convened before the triggering of the war in Ukraine, will obviously only move any line: the relationship between Europe and its “systemic and competitor rival Strategic “- The formula dates from 2019 – is simply a little more complicated since the trigger of the war. Brussels and Beijing may agree, to believe Mr. Michel, that the Ukrainian conflict is “a threat to global security and economy” but he did not receive a real answer to the Invitation he has launched to China to involve it in searching for a solution. Wednesday, Sergei Lavrov, the head of the Russian diplomacy, had on the other hand, in Beijing, the affirmation of a friendship “unlimited” between the two countries.
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