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Charles Michel: The EU is not 'naive' about increasingly close Russia-China ties

Charles Michel: The EU is not 'naive' about increasingly close

The European Union is not naive about the diplomatic rapprochement between Russia and China against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, European Council President Charles Michel said on Wednesday.

He noted that the increasingly close relationship should not deter Brussels from engaging with Beijing.

"We are absolutely convinced that it is important that China does not support Russia," Michel told Euronews on record ahead of a two-day summit of leaders in Brussels.

"It is important for China to uphold international law, stability through the UN Charter."

"I'm not naive. I know there are close ties between China and Russia," he continued.

"But on the other hand, I think in those circumstances, it's very clear that we have to engage with China, not because we agree on everything with China, on the contrary, but because we have to defend our interests and defend our principles."

In his interview with Euronews, Michel reaffirmed his support for the 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which calls for the total withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.

 

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