The senior Chinese diplomat told reporters that China is contributing to the global economy by conducting normal trade with Russia.
“China is no match for the crisis in Ukraine,” said Wang Lutong, director-general for European affairs at China’s foreign ministry. “We believe that our normal trade with other countries should not be affected.”
Against sanctions
China is an important ally of President Vladimir Putin. “We are against sanctions, and the effects of these sanctions also threaten to spread to the rest of the world,” said Wang Lutong.
Russia has asked for help from China as the war in Ukraine is less successful than expected and the country is suffering from numerous Western sanctions. Helping Russia would not be in China’s interest, according to the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pointed to the economic toll Beijing would then pay.