EU: China is not a threat like Russia

Borrell participated in the “State of the Union” panel that is organized by the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence every year during Europe Day week on May 9.

The high representative said that they have left behind a very difficult year due to the war in Ukraine.

Referring to the different perceptions and approaches towards the war in Europe, Borrell said that Europe is made up of different nations and that there may be differences between Ukraine’s and other EU countries’ perceptions of the war due to the proximity of the Baltics to Russia. .

Stating that Europe should increase its defense capacity and industrial production, Borrell said: “(Russian President Vladimir) Putin continues to wage this war. If we do not support Ukraine, the country will fall. It is clear that we would prefer to spend this money on the social service of our citizens, but we have no other choice.”

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Josep Borrell said: “The only peace plan on the table for Ukraine is that of (Ukrainian President) Volodymyr Zelenskiy. China’s is a dream. In any case, someone is needed to talk about peace, while Putin keeps talking about his military objectives.

Borrell said that Beijing could have great influence in Moscow and that the phone call between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Zelenskiy was a positive development.

Referring to the relations between the EU and China, Borrell said: “Although we are closer to the Europeans and the US, we should have our own style of relationship with China. China is a competitor to which the EU competes, but at the same time it cannot be considered as a threat to the security of Europe like Russia. We never said that because of China,” he said. (AA)