The European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, has warned that China’s “material and diplomatic” support for Russia, especially in the context of Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, is a direct threat to Europe’s security. This was reported by the Japanese news agency Kyodo.
Borrell, in his interview, drew attention to the fact that China is increasing its exports of dual-use goods to Russia, which significantly strengthens its military-industrial complex. According to the diplomat, this trend poses critical risks to the European Union and underscores the importance of the EU’s close cooperation with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. Borrell also mentioned North Korea’s support for Russia, emphasising the interconnectedness of the security interests of Europe and Asia.
Borrell noted that the EU and Japan are strategic partners who should unite to maintain stability in the world’s hot spots and work together in multilateral institutions to protect democratic principles. The EU and Japan, as members of the G7, have already imposed sanctions on Russia, but China has not joined these measures, continuing to purchase Russian energy resources, including oil and gas.
The G7 members called on China to stop supplying Russia with dual-use technologies, including high-tech semiconductors and quantum computers that could be used for military purposes.
“The European Union will react quickly to any assistance provided by third countries to the Russian military machine,” Borrell stressed. Ahead of the joint announcement of a new defence treaty between the EU and Japan, the EU representative noted that the parties will continue to exchange information and support the resilience of supply chains to strengthen the protection of common interests.
