EU calls on China to press Russia to withdraw troops from Ukraine

The EU summit participants made a statement to this effect.

“As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has a special responsibility in upholding the rules-based international order, the United Nations Charter and international law. Hence, the European Council calls on China to press Russia to stop its war of aggression, and immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw its troops from Ukraine,” the statement says. 

China's position on the war in Ukraine

On 24 February, Beijing published a document with its position on a political settlement in Ukraine. The so-called Chinese peace plan describes Russia's war against Ukraine as "crisis".

In May, Chinese special envoy Li Hui visited Ukraine and spoke with President Zelenskyy. Later, he traveled to Moscow and a number of European countries to present his "peace plan".  The WSJ reported that during the tour, China's special envoy called for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine by giving the seized territories to Russia. However, later the Chinese diplomat denied this information.

On 2 June, Li Hui also said that he had seen Ukraine and Russia's readiness for negotiations.