EU urges China to use influence on Russia and Iran
Al Jazeera
Ursula von der Leyen says EU counts on Xi Jinping to lean on Russia to end war in Ukraine, limit Iran’s missiles and drones.
The European Union hopes China will help persuade Russia to end its war in Ukraine and limit an Iranian weapons build-up.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised the scenario on Monday after talks in Paris with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which also included trade issues. The EU hopes Beijing will lean on its ally Russia and help stem Iran’s proliferation of missiles and drones, the head of the EU executive body said.
“We count on China to use all its influence on Russia to end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” von der Leyen said after meeting with Xi alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.
“President Xi has played an important role in de-escalating Russia’s irresponsible nuclear threats, and I am confident that President Xi will continue to do so against the backdrop of ongoing nuclear threats by Russia,” she said.
The meeting in Paris took place on the same day the Kremlin announced Russian President Vladimir Putin had ordered nuclear drills. The exercises were in response to statements by Western countries about sending troops into Ukraine, Moscow added. Macron said last week that his country would consider sending ground troops to Ukraine if Kyiv requests backup.
