China opposes 'constant dragging,' rejects Trump’s call for economic pressure over Ukraine

Beijing rejects Trump call to pressure China on Ukraine

Beijing has firmly rejected calls to exert economic pressure on China, following US President Donald Trump’s appeal for European countries to take action over the war in Ukraine.

"We firmly oppose the practice of constantly dragging China into the matter (of the war), and we strongly oppose the imposition of so-called economic pressure on China," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press briefing.

This comes after Trump urged European leaders to halt purchases of Russian oil, warning that such trade was helping Moscow fund its war in Ukraine. He also called on European countries to increase economic pressure on China over its support for Russia’s invasion, the White House said.

“Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war,” a senior White House official quoted Trump as saying during a video conference with European leaders in Paris, speaking on condition of anonymity.

“President Trump emphasised that Europe must stop purchasing Russian oil that is funding the war, as Russia received 1.1 billion euros in fuel sales from the EU in one year. The president also emphasised that European leaders must place economic pressure on China for funding Russia’s war efforts.”

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, who also joined the meeting, said Trump is "very dissatisfied" with European purchases of Russian oil, identifying Hungary and Slovakia as buyers.

(With agency inputs)