OUR European Union not “naive” about the diplomatic approach between Russia And China on the background war in UkraineEuropean Council President Charles Michel said today.

However, he noted that closer ties between Beijing and Moscow should not prevent Brussels from maintaining relations with China.

“We absolutely believe that it is important that China does not support Russia,” Michel told Euronews. “It is important for China to maintain international law (and) stability based on the UN Charter.”

“I am not naive. I know that relations between China and Russia are close,” he added.

“But, on the other hand, I think that under these conditions it is clear that we must cooperate with China, not because we agree on everything, in everything else, but because we must protect our interests and our principles,” he said. Michelle.

Zelensky’s proposal and the Beijing plan

Speaking to Euronews, Michel reaffirmed his support for the 10-point peace plan proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This plan provides for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops and the restoration of Ukraine’s internationally recognized borders.

However, Zelensky’s proposal contrasts sharply with the 12-point document issued by China, which does not include the issue of occupied territories.

The Chinese plan refers to the principles of international law, but avoids using the words “war” or “invasion” and refers to “crisis” instead. In addition, he calls for the lifting of “unilateral sanctions” and an end to the “Cold War mentality” – rhetoric that is seen as a veiled criticism of the West.

“This peace plan is not what we believe in,” Charles Michel said for his part. “We believe in President Zelenskiy’s ‘formula’ for peace, which is based on the UN Charter, international law and multilateralism.”

“No intentions to attack Russia”

The President of the European Council called “extremely important” the new military aid package approved this week by EU foreign and defense ministers, as for the first time 1 billion euros are allocated for joint purchases of ammunition.

“This is a solid solution for real European defense. And you know that in the past we have discussed this issue extensively (which) for some was a theoretical dispute. Now it’s a reality,” Michel said.

“It is unimaginable that such a decision was made just a few weeks before the start of a full-scale (Russian) invasion.”

When asked where the line is between military support and a pro-military stance, Michel replied that the EU, from a legal point of view, has the right to help a country that has been attacked.

“I am sure that there is no intention to attack Russia. There is an aggressor: it is Russia. And there are victims,” he said.

“We support international law because we know that if we do not help Ukraine, this means that the world will be less secure in the future.”

“Many calls at the same time”

S. Michel also spoke about the state of the European economy, which was seriously affected by the side effects of the war in Ukraine.

“We consider it important to focus on the issue of the European Union’s long-term competitiveness. We are facing many difficult challenges at the same time,” Michel stressed, referring to rising energy prices, climate change, digitalization and a lack of knowledge.

Financial concerns have intensified this month following the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and the takeover of Swiss Credit Suisse by UBS.

“We are monitoring the situation in Switzerland and the US,” Michel said. “But I am confident that we have the right tools to ensure stability.”

^{Source: euronews}