On December 15, the foreign ministers of European Union countries will hold a meeting to discuss the support that China provides to the Russian army, as well as the imbalance in economic relations between the EU and Beijing. Diplomatic sources report that among the key topics will be the potential supply of not only dual-use goods but also combat weapons by China for use on the battlefield in Ukraine.
This is reported by Kyiv24
China’s Support for Russia and Its Security Implications
One EU diplomat emphasized that China’s influence on the Russian Federation’s ability to conduct war in Ukraine is significant. It is noted that support from Beijing is increasing, despite ongoing efforts by the EU to engage in dialogue and persuade China to adhere to international obligations as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
“Without China’s support for Russia in this war, the RF would likely not be capable of what it is ultimately capable of. We also see that this support from China is increasing, despite our attempts to engage in dialogue with Beijing about this and to persuade them that, as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council, they cannot support such an aggressive war and blatant violation of the UN Security Charter,” said another source to Radio Free Europe in EU diplomatic circles.
During the meeting, they also plan to discuss the issue of China’s geo-economic influence. Diplomats indicate that Beijing is increasingly using the economic dependence of other countries to advance its own interests. Special attention is given to China’s control over rare earth metals and the application of new tools of economic pressure ahead of the EU leaders’ summit scheduled for December 18.
EU-China Relations: Economic Imbalance and Security Challenges
The discussion among the EU foreign ministers will be the culmination of a series of visits by European leaders and high-ranking officials to Beijing that have taken place in recent weeks. The agenda includes issues of security, foreign policy, finance, trade, investment, and economic relations between the European Union and China.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently instructed Ukrainian intelligence to closely monitor cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in areas concerning the interests of Ukraine and its partners.
China, for its part, regularly calls for peaceful negotiations and respect for the territorial integrity of all states; however, it has yet to condemn Russia for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine that began in 2022. Western governments accuse Beijing of providing economic support to Moscow, particularly through the supply of components for Russia’s defense industry.