China says US disrespects nations’ sovereignty after sanctions against Russia for Ukraine troop deployment
- Foreign ministry accuses US of ‘raising tensions, creating panic’ by imposing sanctions after Russia recognised rebel areas in Ukraine and moved troops there
- All sides should resolve the situation through dialogue, spokeswoman Hua Chunying says as she dismisses sanctions as ineffective
“[The Chinese government] believes that sanctions are never a fundamental and effective way to solve the problem, and China always opposes any illegal unilateral sanctions,” spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.
American actions were “raising tensions, creating panic and even playing up the schedule of war”, Hua said.
03:13
Russian leader Putin declares Ukraine’s rebel regions Donetsk and Luhansk ‘independent states’
“If someone is adding fuel to the fire while blaming others … then that behaviour is irresponsible and immoral.”
Putin announced on Monday that Russia had formally recognised two rebel republics in eastern Ukraine and ordered the deployment of troops there. Several Western countries condemned the move and imposed multiple sanctions on Russia.
Washington’s series of measures included full blocking sanctions against two major Russian financial entities, and sanctions against “Kremlin-connected elites”, according to the US Treasury Department.
“We’ve cut off Russia’s government from Western financing,” Biden said as he announced the sanctions.
Hua asked multiple rhetorical questions to reporters, questioning the effectiveness of sanctions.
“Have US sanctions solved the problem?” she asked. “Has the world changed for the better because of US sanctions? Will the Ukraine issue be resolved naturally due to the US sanctions against Russia? Will Europe’s security be enhanced?”
She said that “unilateral and illegal sanctions imposed by some countries such as the United States have caused serious difficulties to economies and livelihoods”.
China hoped all parties would solve the problem through dialogue, Hua said, before berating the US in response to a question about China’s role in resolving it.
02:34
Russia’s moves on Ukraine spark protests across Europe
“Actually, we want to ask the US side, which is also a question many people want to ask,” she said. “When the US-led Nato bombed Belgrade, did they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yugoslavia? When the US accused Baghdad with trumped-up charges, did they respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq?”
She went on to accuse the US of instigating “colour revolution” and interference in other, unspecified countries.
