EU leaders set to avoid direct accusation over Chinese role in Russia’s war in Ukraine

A draft statement suggests leaders from the bloc’s 27 members will not accuse Beijing of crossing a major red line

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The EU has warned that directly supplying the Russian military is a major red line for the bloc. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:00pm, 18 Dec 2024Updated: 7:49pm, 18 Dec 2024

European Union leaders will avoid directly calling out China over Russia’s war in Ukraine at a major summit this week, according to a draft statement seen by the Post.

Beijing’s relations with Moscow are a cause for much concern in European capitals, and in recent weeks anxiety has been stoked further by evidence disseminated by one EU member state that indicates a factory in Xinjiang has been making drones for Russia’s military.

But while directly arming Russia has been repeatedly described as a “red line” by EU leaders, the European Council, which represents the 27 member governments, has chosen not to open a new front with Beijing in a week that Brussels sanctioned Chinese companies over their role in the war for the first time.

“The European Council strongly condemns support by third countries, and actors and entities therein, which enable Russia to sustain its war of aggression against Ukraine,” read a draft statement negotiated by representatives of the 27 states.

“The arms transfers and deepening military cooperation between Russia and the DPRK [North Korea] and Iran, as well as the deployment of the DPRK’s military forces to Russia and their use on the battlefield against Ukraine represent an international escalation of the war, with serious consequences for international peace and security,” the statement continued.

The text could change before Thursday’s summit, where the issue is expected to be discussed, but sources said the language was acceptable to all capitals. It said the council “urges all countries to immediately cease any direct or indirect assistance to Russia in its war of aggression against Ukraine”.