EU-European Union and Chinese leaders met online over the situation in Ukraine.
The EU urged China to play an active role in ending the fighting in Ukraine, but the Chinese urged the EU to take a leading role and talk with Russia and others along with the United States and others.
The summit meeting was held online on April 1, with President Michel and Chairman Von der Leyen from the EU side and President Xi Jinping from the Chinese side discussing the situation in Ukraine.
After the meeting, the EU held a press conference, urging China to play an active role in immediately ending the fighting in Ukraine, saying it was responsible as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I made it clear.
He also called for no measures to weaken the effects of sanctions imposed on Russia by the West.
"If China supports Russia in the war, China's reputation in Europe will be severely damaged. The business community is watching carefully which country is in what position," said Von der Leyen. He acknowledged that the response could have adverse consequences for China.
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting, President Xi said, "The root cause of the Ukrainian crisis is the long-standing regional security contradictions in Europe, and the fundamental solution is the security of each party. It is important to consider the concerns of the United States, "he said, urging the EU to play a leading role and to talk with Russia with the United States and NATO-North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
He said, "We must not politicize the world economy or use it as a tool or weapon to cause a serious crisis in areas such as finance, trade, and energy," and expressed his opposition to sanctions.