Foreign Ministries of Germany, France demand China defines its stance on war in Ukraine and influence Russia

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that China is becoming a systemic rival on the world stage and called on Beijing to unequivocally name Russia as an aggressor over its invasion of Ukraine, ABC News reports.

Annalena Baerbock called for reducing economic dependence on China and said that Germany is ready to cooperate with China in all possible areas, but must be careful not to undermine its security.

She emphasized that Europe in its relations with China is obliged to reduce security risks and restrictions on freedom in every possible way.

In turn, France called on China to put pressure on Russia and bring the Russian leadership to its senses, Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said at a government meeting, the Guardian reports.

Catherine Colonna said that China should force Russia to "return to peace" by using its relations with Russia, Beijing can explain to Moscow that it is in a dead end and push it to return to reason.

• In early April, French President Emmanuel Macron visited China, and after the visit, he provoked a scandal by saying that Europe should not always support American policy.

• In mid-April, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock visited Beijing.