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Kristersson on China: Deep provocation

by AI | 25.Jul 2024 | Europe in brief AI

China’s increasingly clear open support for Russia is causing concern within NATO. Sweden shares the view, some sanctions are not on the table – at least not yet, according to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Photo: Mikaela Landeström/TT

For the first time, China was mentioned in connection with a final declaration in connection with a NATO meeting when it ended in Washington recently. The background is linked to Russia in connection with the war against Ukraine and is described as a reason for “deep concern”.

“There is no doubt that there is ever clearer open support from China to Russia against Ukraine and it is a deep provocation. Of course, it must have consequences. That is the concrete reason,” said Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson then at a press conference in Washington.

The Prime Minister also mentioned, among other things, a military exercise that China and Belarus carried out near the border with Poland.

“It cannot be interpreted any other way than that China wants to show that there is a circle of countries that are like-minded and opposite to what we stand for”.

In response to a question about possible sanctions against China, Kristersson replies:

“I don’t know if we are quite there yet. I think there is an increased awareness that China is now acting directly opposite to what the entire EU stands for towards Ukraine. Sanctions are complicated things but we are getting closer to a situation where the EU should act more forcefully against China”.

(July 11)