Beijing should help stop Russian strikes and foster negotiations
Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on China to use its influence on Russia to halt attacks against Ukraine and launch serious peace talks. Speaking at Peking University, he emphasized the strategic responsibility of Beijing as a permanent UN Security Council member. This was reported by Ukrinform, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Addressing the academic audience in Beijing, the German leader underscored that China maintains close relations with Russia, which creates an opportunity to jointly demand an end to the ongoing aggression. He stressed that the military campaign launched by Moscow violates fundamental international principles regarding the impermissibility of changing borders by force.
Threat to Global Order
The president noted that Ukrainians must be allowed to independently choose their future path, just like any other nation. He recalled that Germany had spent decades trying to build a reliable security architecture with Russia, but Moscow chose a path of confrontation instead.
Highlighting direct security risks in Europe, Steinmeier mentioned a recent drone attack on an airport in the heart of Germany, with traces leading directly to Russia. He warned the Chinese audience that the prolonged war contradicts Beijing’s own economic interests by threatening trade routes and supply chains.
Economic and Humanitarian Consequences
The German head of state pointed out that the war has already lasted longer than World War I, causing hundreds of thousands of deaths and continuous destruction of heating and water infrastructure. People are suffering immensely, especially with winter approaching, and expect joint international efforts to end the crisis.
Previously, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also stated that Beijing possesses sufficient leverage to persuade the Russian leadership to stop the war. Steinmeier concluded that global actors must utilize their diverse capabilities together to achieve a lasting resolution.
Photo: bundespraesident.de
Read also: Shutdown of Ukrainian Metallurgical Plants Caused by Russian Strikes Creates Steel Deficit
