EU warns China to use influence with Russia to end war in Ukraine, else bloc cannot be ‘good friends’

‘We expect that China will use its role and its responsibilities’ to resolve ‘existential threat for us’, says EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell

Beijing practising ‘pro-Russian neutrality’, Borrell tells Post on eve of foreign ministers’ debate focused on China

Reading Time:3 minutes

99+

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a press conference outside Marsta, Sweden, on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 5:30am, 13 May 2023Updated: 5:51am, 13 May 2023

The European Union has warned China again to use its influence to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, or their already strained relations will worsen.

“Life is complicated,” said top diplomat Josep Borrell at a press conference in Sweden on Friday evening. “If I don’t like your behaviour, you cannot expect to be good friends. It is as simple as that.”

He welcomed the news that China’s special envoy for Eurasia would embark on a trip to Ukraine, Russia and other European capitals next Monday in a bid to help resolve the 15-month armed conflict.

“It is so important that China understands that what is happening in Ukraine is an existential threat for us, and we expect that China will use its role and its responsibilities. If this is not the case, our relationship will not be so good.”

“We had been asking China to get involved with Ukraine, and this phone call with President Xi [Jinping] was the first small step. And this special envoy is another step towards China using its influence to stop this war,” Borrell told the Post, in a separate conversation.

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x