Why Does the European Union Consider China's Arms Supplies to Russia as a Red Line?
Looking at the recent developments, we can conclude that China has two main approaches to the Russian aggression in Ukraine. The first approach is not to stand against the international community reacting to Russia's aggression. The other approach is not to leave Russia completely alone against the Western powers.
Since its establishment, the European Union has aimed to provide lasting peace, freedom, security and justice to the citizens living in European countries, as well as a competitive social market and a highly prosperous economy.
Until today, the EU has faced various crises and found solutions by deepening them within itself. These solutions have sometimes resulted in success and sometimes in failure. If we need to give examples of these crises; the financial crisis in 2008, the Euro crisis in 2010, the refugee crisis in 2015 and finally the Covid-19 pandemic crisis.
On 24 February 2022, since the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war, the European Union has reacted swiftly and firmly against Russia for attempting to invade. Why did the EU react so strongly? The first and foremost reason was that this war was contrary to the EU's principle of maintaining peace and unity, i.e. preventing another war on the continent.
As a first step, the EU reacted by imposing heavy sanctions on Russian media, companies and banks. It closed its airspace to Russian aircraft. It provided direct financial and arms aid to Ukraine. In response, the Russians tried to lure the Europeans away from the sanctions with natural gas, but the situation did not change for the EU.
At the next stage, the idea of an embargo on Russian gas and oil came to the fore. Price ceilings were imposed. Nevertheless, the effects of the Ukrainian war on the EU, especially on the citizens of the EU countries, have been quite large and far-reaching. Nevertheless, it seems that as long as the war continues, the EU will continue to impose sanctions against Russia and support the Ukrainian administration. Apparently, Europe will endure the troubles and continue to maintain its position against the Russians.
As a part of the Western World, the EU considers it necessary and obligatory to act together with the United States in this war. Every country that sides with Russia, supports the Russians and supports, even indirectly, the breaking of sanctions causes discomfort in the Western world. Worse than that are the countries that provide arms to the Russians.
In recent days, assessments that China may provide arms aid to Russia have been on the agenda in the international press. This situation disturbs the EU as well as the USA. For this reason, Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, felt the need to state that it would be a "red line" for the EU if China provided arms to Russia for use in Ukraine.
On 19 February 2023, a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council was held, bringing together EU foreign ministers. Borrell was reminded of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement during his visit to Ankara that "We are concerned about the idea of China providing arms to Russia, especially in the Ukraine war." Borrell said that, like Blinken, he had a meeting with China's most senior diplomat, Vang Yi, Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China, which included this issue.
"I asked them not to do this, it is not a cause for concern. I said it would be a red line in our relationship and he said they have no plans to do that. We will continue to be cautious.
China prefers to follow a sensitive and contradictory policy on the Russian invasion. In a written statement on these issues, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed the official Chinese view that they have always played a constructive role in the Ukrainian conflict.
China said that the China-Russia partnership is based on "non-targeting third parties, non-alignment, and non-conflict", while the US reaction was "fuelling the fire and taking advantage of conflicts".
When we look at the recent developments, we can conclude that China has two main approaches to Russia's aggression in Ukraine. The first approach is not to take a stand against the international community reacting to Russia's aggression. The other approach is not to leave Russia completely alone against the Western powers.
In the meantime, China has not refrained from putting forward the thesis that "it is the US, not China, that is constantly sending weapons to the battlefield". "We urge the United States to think seriously about its own actions and do more to calm the situation, promote peace and dialogue, and stop blaming others and spreading misinformation," said a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, adding that China's position on the Ukraine issue can be summarised as "promoting peace and supporting dialogue".
Beijing insists that, like other countries in the region, it maintains a normal trade relationship with Russia, including oil and gas purchases.
When we look at China-EU relations, we can say that it is based on an economic relationship rather than a political relationship. China became a member of the World Trade Organisation on 11 December 2001. It started to move towards becoming a global actor. Even though this step shook the US hegemony, it has taken its place in the pages of history as an important step in terms of the economic-political rapprochement between China and the EU.
In the face of the possibility of China providing arms aid to Russia, I believe that it would be inevitable that the EU-China relationship would be damaged. Moreover, China's direct arms support to Russia would also be a detrimental factor in its relations with the EU and other countries close to US policies. Therefore, it can be said that China will continue to maintain its 'smart policy' approach.
