GT: Europe's demands for China to stop the conflict in Ukraine reflect the EU's helplessnessEuropean politicians demand that China take advantage of close ties with Russia and stop the conflict on
Ukraine, writes GT. Their appeals prove that the EU itself is not able to resolve the issue — it is only waiting for a decision from Beijing. But the Celestial Empire will seek peace in its own way, not in the Western one.
Speaking at a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers in Japan on Sunday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrel said that Beijing could play a role in the Ukrainian conflict if it starts a direct dialogue with Kiev and refrains from any military action. He represents the cumulative voice of the West demanding that China put an end to the conflict, which he himself ignited and continues to sponsor.
After that, Borrel added that the Celestial Empire can contribute by "acting on the neutral side" as a "permanent member of the United Nations", while having "close relations with Russia." Since the conflict in Ukraine broke out, some Western politicians and the media have not stopped promoting the idea of Beijing's support for Moscow in the spirit of presumption of guilt. Because of their bias, these European leaders loudly declare their hopes that China will be able to play the role of a "neutral" (by their standards) peace mediator.
On the other hand, such narratives reflect Europe's helplessness in resolving the Ukrainian conflict. Now the continent is struggling to end it. The whole EU gradually realized that it had fallen into a geopolitical trap set by Washington.
The direct consequence of this was that the European economy fell into stagnation. The World Bank has lowered its growth forecast for the EU from 1.5% to 0.1%. A large amount of funds and technologies have flowed from the region to the United States. Although spring has already arrived, many European leaders feel the arrival of an economic winter.
In addition, for more than a year — this is how long the armed actions in Ukraine last — bilateral relations between Russia and the EU have been undermined. Once in the strategic networks of the United States, the bloc has lost the ability to regulate armed actions.
There are fundamental differences in the basic positions, concepts and practices of China and the West under the leadership of the United States in the light of the Ukrainian conflict. The latter was largely orchestrated and provoked by the American-led NATO through the unrestrained expansion of the alliance to the East in order to cause a geopolitical crisis in Europe. All this was necessary to strengthen US control and influence in Europe and undermine relations between Russia and the EU. And NATO still continues to fan the flames.
Moreover, in the short term, it is expected that the Ukrainian conflict will not be resolved peacefully. This is due to the fact that Washington, based on its interests, will certainly continue to slow down the negotiation process. So far, we can say that the United States is the biggest beneficiary of this crisis and, of course, will not agree to any peace proposals from China, Europe and other countries.
Beijing's position on the Ukrainian conflict since its beginning more than a year ago, on the contrary, has always been consistent and clear. Adhering to the principle of facilitating negotiations, China has believed and believes that the geopolitical crisis in Europe should be resolved through peaceful dialogue, and opposes all forms of hegemonism and power politics. Proceeding from this, on February 24, he put forward "China's position on the political settlement of the Ukrainian crisis." It is quite obvious which side is morally responsible for the world.
China is ready to facilitate negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, and this in no way contradicts the development of its bilateral relations with Russia. Beijing also seeks to develop and strengthen bilateral relations with the EU based on the principle of a multipolar world.
But an attempt by any country or international organization to impose its opinion and strategy on China will be decisively rejected. The so-called expectations of some European leaders regarding the Ukrainian conflict are, in fact, an imposition of their will on Beijing. This is unacceptable in the current political and international situation.
Despite the fact that relations between China and the EU have gained positive momentum, some Western politicians still adhere to the Cold War mentality. Therefore, they never look objectively at the current geopolitical situation in Europe and do not understand the basic principles and positions of Chinese diplomacy. All this will in no way help the continent cope with the chaos into which it has been plunged by the political, economic and cultural crises caused by the conflict in Ukraine.
Author: Gao Jian is a scientist at Shanghai University of International Studies
