‘Chinese support for Russia’ hitting ties, German Foreign Minister Baerbock tells Wang Yi

Annalena Baerbock also warns that Russia is dragging Asia into Ukraine war, saying ‘this is not in China’s interests either’

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Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi greets Germany’s Annalena Baerbock, in Beijing on Monday. Photo: dpa

Published: 5:08pm, 2 Dec 2024Updated: 8:53pm, 2 Dec 2024

Russia is dragging Asia into the Ukraine war, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has warned, while telling Chinese counterpart Wang Yi that Beijing’s support for Moscow was affecting its relations with both Berlin and Brussels.

“The Russian president is not only destroying our European peace order through his war against Ukraine, but is now dragging Asia into it through North Korea. My Chinese counterpart and I have discussed in-depth that this is not in China’s interests either,” she told reporters after the pair held talks in Beijing.

“Drones from Chinese factories and North Korean troops attacking peace in the middle of Europe violate our core European security interests,” Baerbock added.

China has repeatedly refuted reports that it has been supplying Russia with attack drones.

Baerbock also stressed that permanent members of the UN Security Council – such as China – were responsible for maintaining global peace and security, saying they should not support or fuel conflicts that threaten security.

02:58

China rejects Nato claim of being ‘decisive enabler’ of Russia in Ukraine war

According to a statement earlier from her ministry, Baerbock “emphasised that the increasing Chinese support for Russia’s war against Ukraine has an impact on our relations, as core German and European security interests are affected”.