Blinken: China trying to have it both ways with Russia

Blinken believes that China has leverage with Russia due to their relationship and hopes that they will use their voice to move towards a just and durable peace….reports Asian Lite News

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has accused China of “trying to have it both ways” in its approach to the war in Ukraine and its support of Russia.

In a recent interview with Euronews, Blinken said that China needs to focus on convincing Russia to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and return the territory that it seized by force, rather than attempting to remain neutral.

“China wants to be seen as trying to advance peace and at the same time, it continues to support Russia in different ways, rhetorically making its case in international institutions, advancing Russian propaganda about the aggression. And as we’ve said some weeks ago, even considering providing Russia with lethal assistance,” Blinken told Euronews.

He also noted that while China has put forward some positive peace ideas, it continues to support Russia in different ways and is even considering providing lethal assistance.

Blinken believes that China has leverage with Russia due to their relationship and hopes that they will use their voice to move towards a just and durable peace.

Blinken also commented on the EU’s approach to China, stating that the EU’s call for “de-risking” their economic relationship with China is consistent with the US’s approach of reducing risk in critical sectors where security could be at risk, rather than decoupling entirely.

French President, Emmanuel Macron, and the President of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, held a trilateral meeting on Thursday with their Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, on the sidelines of the French leader’s state visit to Beijing.

“President von der Leyen’s speech was very strong and totally consistent with our approach to China and the approach of many partners and allies. And she’s exactly right. This is not about decoupling. It is about de-risking,” Blinken said.

He highlighted a growing convergence between the US and Europe, as well as key partners in Asia, in their approach to the relationship with China.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Emine Dzhaparova on Tuesday held a meeting with the European Union’s delegation to India and heads of mission of EU member states, thanking them for supporting Kyiv.

Taking to her official Twitter handle, Emine Dzhaparova called the support in Global South nations vital for Ukraine. She expressed gratitude to the EU’s National Institutes Culture in India for arranging the Future Perfect Festival scheduled to be held in Delhi next month. Dzhaparova on Monday arrived in New Delhi, marking the first official visit of the East European country, since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict last year.

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