Conflict in Ukraine doubts China-EU economic co-operation, expert asserts

Economic co-operation between China and the European Union is questionable against the background of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine – as stated by political scientist Yuri Shevtsov, the Director of the Centre for European Integration, in his talk with Alfa Radio

The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s official representative, Zhao Lijian, said yesterday that the US is deliberately aggravating the situation around Ukraine in order to restrain China and Russia. According to him, the American side has taken no steps to ease the escalation of tensions, but on the contrary, it has been adding fuel to the conflict, thus forcing other countries to take sides.

“That is true, but Europe should be added here. The conflict in Ukraine is a big burden for Russia. On the other hand, it has questioned economic co-operation between China and the European Union in many aspects. For example, a new overland Great Silk Road – connecting China and the EU – is flimsy, and Poland can block it at any time. The economic difficulties – that Europe, primarily Eastern, faces now – are also related to China since this country was the major economic partner for Ukraine. This means that China, similarly to Belarus, will lose this market. Ukraine has so far other things to worry about,” Mr. Shevtsov noted.

According to the expert, the conflict in Ukraine has become a big burden for Europe against the background of the sanctions policy against Russia, the growth of military spending and the influx of refugees.“With this in view, China has correctly assessed the situation. This conflict [in Ukraine] is hitting US competitors," Mr. Shevtsov stressed.