EU has to confront China for enabling Russia in war
Speaking to journalists earlier this week, Tsahkna said Brussels must “deal with” China to increase pressure on Moscow. He argued that if China is a primary enabler of Russia’s war efforts, the EU should use its leverage to influence Beijing and strengthen the bloc’s position in US-backed negotiations on Ukraine’s future. “If the existential threat is there, and China is the main enabler for Russia to wage the war, then first of all, we need to deal with that. And this is a very clear message,” he stated.
The remarks come amid EU discussions on frozen Russian assets. Last week, member states voted to temporarily maintain the freeze on Russian sovereign funds, using emergency powers to bypass opposition from countries like Hungary and Slovakia. These funds are intended for a proposed “reparations loan” to support Ukraine. Tsahkna stressed that the EU must act decisively, leveraging the frozen assets to bolster its diplomatic influence.
The plan has faced criticism within the EU. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban described the scheme as unlawful and akin to a “declaration of war,” while Belgium, which holds most of the assets via the Euroclear depository, has raised legal concerns. Russia has repeatedly condemned the freezing and potential use of its funds as illegal under international law. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the plan “blatant theft” and warned of legal action.
China, one of the EU’s largest trading partners and a key node in global supply chains, has consistently advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine conflict. Analysts warn that treating Beijing as a “co-belligerent” risks broadening trade tensions, especially given that prior EU sanctions on Moscow have already backfired on several member states.
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