The Statement by Germany’s Foreign Minister
Germany’s foreign minister Annalena Baerbock has warned China. She said “neutrality” in the Ukraine war means taking Russia’s side. She urged Beijing to do more to end the conflict.
Baerbock made the statement in Berlin with China’s Qin Gang on Tuesday, May 9, 2023. She said that Germany supports Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. She said that Russia was the aggressor in the war.
“Neutrality means taking the side of the aggressor,” Baerbock said.
The Response by China’s Foreign Minister
China’s foreign minister Qin Gang did not respond to Baerbock’s warning directly. Instead, he said that China respects Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity. He said that he hoped for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Qin also said China opposes any interference in Ukraine’s affairs and pressure on Ukraine. He said China supports dialogue and cooperation among all parties in the war.
Qin also said that China and Germany have common interests and responsibilities. He said that they want to maintain world peace and stability. He said China is willing to work with Germany to promote multilateralism and global governance.
The Implications for the Ukraine War
The war in eastern Ukraine has been raging since February 2022. Russia annexed Crimea and backed separatist rebels in the Donbas region. Over 14,000 people have been killed, and over a million have been displaced.
The US and its allies have supported Ukraine with military and diplomatic aid. They have also imposed sanctions on Russia. They have called on China to play a more constructive role in the war. China has close economic ties with both Ukraine and Russia.
However, China has maintained a neutral stance on the conflict. It says that it is an internal matter for Ukraine. It also opposes any NATO expansion or intervention in the region.
The statement by Germany’s foreign minister attempts to pressure China to take a clearer position on the war. It also reflects Germany’s concern over Russia’s military buildup near Ukraine and its possible invasion plans.
This article is based on web search results from Barron’s, AFP, and Dailymotion.