During a high-level meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, the two leaders addressed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The discussion focused on the need for diplomatic engagement and the potential for China to exert pressure on Russia to participate in peace negotiations. This meeting marks an important step in the EU’s broader strategy to isolate Russia economically and diplomatically while seeking a resolution to the war.
Both leaders emphasized the importance of maintaining global stability and reducing the humanitarian impact of the conflict. Von der Leyen expressed concern over the continued aggression by Russia and called for renewed diplomatic efforts. Li Qiang, while acknowledging the complexity of the situation, pledged to consider ways in which China can contribute to a peaceful resolution.
The meeting comes at a time when the EU is intensifying its sanctions against Russia and exploring additional measures to limit the flow of resources to the war effort. By engaging with China, the EU aims to broaden its international coalition and apply more pressure on Russia to de-escalate the situation. However, the effectiveness of this approach remains uncertain given the geopolitical complexities involved in the crisis.