German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Urges China to Pressure Russia Over Ukraine Conflict
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Scholz expressed his concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, stating that it poses a threat to global security. He also emphasized that the use of nuclear weapons in the conflict should not be considered.
During the meeting, Scholz highlighted Germany’s core interests being impacted by the war in Ukraine, which has disrupted energy and global food supplies. He called Russia’s actions a violation of the United Nations Charter and the principle of national borders’ inviolability.
Despite China’s close ties with Russia, Scholz urged Xi to apply greater pressure on Moscow to resolve the conflict peacefully. China has refrained from criticizing Russia’s invasion and has provided economic support to help Russia cope with Western sanctions.
In addition to discussing the Ukraine conflict, the two leaders also talked about trade relations. Scholz called for fair competition and warned against dumping and overproduction. The European Union has been considering tariffs to protect its producers from cheaper Chinese imports, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.
Scholz’s visit to China comes amid growing tensions over trade practices and geopolitical issues. Despite the challenges, China remains Germany’s top trading partner, with billions of euros in goods and services exchanged between the two countries annually.
This meeting between Scholz and Xi underscores the complex dynamics at play in international relations, as countries navigate economic interests and geopolitical concerns in a rapidly changing global landscape.