Michel, president of the European Union’s Council of Heads of Government, spoke with Xi for about three hours. He faced a complicated task as relations with China have deteriorated rapidly in recent years. Partly at the urging of the United States, the EU is defending itself against China’s growing control over the European and world economy. China’s continued siding with Russia in Russia’s war against Ukraine has led to further estrangement.
‘China must help end the war’
“I urged President Xi to use his influence over Russia to comply with the UN Charter,” Michel said after the visit. The West keeps emphasizing that UN rules prohibit a Russian invasion of sovereign Ukraine. Michel told Xi, according to his spokesman, that China must “contribute to an end to the brutal destruction and occupation of Russia.” Whether Michel thinks Xi will indeed work on his Russian colleague Vladimir Putin, he has left open.
Xi insisted that “resolving the Ukrainian crisis by political means is in the interest of Europe and in the common interest of all the countries of Eurasia”. According to the newly reconfirmed president, it is “necessary to avoid the escalation and expansion of the crisis”.
Michel’s already controversial visit also came after days of protests against China’s strict coronavirus policy, unprecedented for China. Michel discussed with Xi the Chinese crown measures and the very different European path, says the prime minister’s spokesman. As well as “society’s reactions” to it.