British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has called on China to use its influence in Moscow and persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. Mr. Sunak made the remarks as Putin met with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping in Beijing for a two-day summit to discuss issues including trade and technology sharing. Speaking at a China-Russia Expo in Harbin, China’s leader said that the “Chinese-Russian partnership” helps both countries develop economically by increasing production and creating new jobs.
A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister called the Ukraine war “illegal” and reminded China of its previous position that Kyiv’s territorial sovereignty and integrity should be protected.
In February 2022, the month the war in Ukraine erupted, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told European leaders his country “respects” Ukraine’s right to self-determination but added that Russia has legitimate concerns about NATO’s expansion toward the east, and these must be addressed. Analysts say China is walking a tightrope in its relations with Russia, which it wants to support, but without further deepening hostilities with the West.
Following Putin and Xi’s most recent meeting in Beijing, the two leaders stated that they had discussed Ukraine and agreed that a political solution was the best way forward. China’s President told reporters that his position on the conflict has been clear and consistent; he still believes in territorial integrity but maintains that Russia’s concerns must be heard.
The summit was the fourth meeting of the Chinese and Russian leaders since the Ukrainian conflict began. They have previously described their relationship as having “no limits” and “unbreakable.” During the visit, Putin laid flowers at a memorial to Russian troops who died defending China from Japan in the 1940s and addressed an industry forum where he said that alliances between the two countries guaranteed energy security to them both.
China has previously said it will preserve normal bilateral trade with Russia despite the Ukrainian war and its associated sanctions.