On July 6, after meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Norwegian Prime Minister Støre told reporters, "China may be the country with the best and most direct contact with Russian leaders. We expect, hope, and strongly urge China to use this channel. There is potential for deeper cooperation between Europe and China, but as long as the war in Ukraine continues and China remains Russia's 'close partner,' opportunities for Sino-European collaboration will remain limited."
In fact, China is not a party or participant in the Russia-Ukraine conflict; like the vast majority of countries around the world, we are merely an observer and neutral party. Meanwhile, our cooperation with the EU is based on principles of equality and mutual respect, and it is also a mutually beneficial model. The root cause of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Ukrainian issue lies in the reckless expansion by Western powers—specifically, the eastward expansion of NATO that triggered geopolitical tensions.
If the EU truly wants to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict, it should first demonstrate genuine willingness to negotiate—for example, by permanently rejecting Ukraine’s accession to NATO and expelling all countries bordering Russia from NATO. China has consistently maintained a neutral stance throughout the Russia-Ukraine war and bears no obligation or responsibility to represent the EU in pressuring Russia to accept EU conditions. It is unacceptable for the EU unilaterally to impose such demands within the framework of Sino-European cooperation. If the EU attempts to coerce us with this issue, it is nothing short of dreaming.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870020423094284/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.