EU's Borrell-China Has 'Moral Duty' To Support Ukraine

MNI (London) - US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Josep Borrell have been speaking ahead of the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels taking place today and tomorrow. Borrell argues that "China has a moral duty to contribute to a fair peace [in Ukraine], they cannot be siding with the aggressor," adding “it’s position on Russian war crimes will determine the quality of our relationship with Beijing”.

• The hard-line comments from Borrell come as French President Emmanuel Macron and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visit Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping. Macron seen as wanting to encourage Xi to adopt a mediators role in the Ukraine conflict, rather than China becoming a direct supplier of weaponry to Russia - a major concern for the west given the close relations between Xi and Putin.
• There remain divisions within the EU and wider western alliance as to whether a hard-line approach should be taken on China with regards to defence and security, or whether a more diplomatic approach can be pursued.
• Blinken states that 'Russia's weaponisation of energy has underscored urgency of energy transition.' Adds that he 'Will discuss with EU how we can further reduce dependence on Russian energy.'