Chinese diplomat said that anti-Russian restrictions will harm the global economy, and NATO should not expand eastward.
Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Le Yucheng believes that Western sanctions against Russia due to the invasion of Ukraine are becoming “increasingly outrageous.” In addition, according to him, NATO's eastward expansion is driving the nuclear state “to a dead end”.
According to Reuters, a Chinese diplomat made such a statement at a security forum in Beijing.
“Sanctions cannot solve the problem. Sanctions will only harm ordinary people, affect the economic and financial system, and worsen the state of the global economy,” Le Yuchen said.
He also added that Russian citizens (i.e. Russian oligarchs who fell under sanctions West – TSN) were deprived of their foreign assets “for no reason”.
According to Le Yuchen, NATO expansion to the east should not take place, as this drives a state with a nuclear potential “in dead end”.
The Chinese diplomat's remarks came a day after US President Joe Biden spoke for nearly two hours with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Amid concerns that Beijing could help Russia, including with weapons, the head of the White House expressed his opinion on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and explained the consequences (especially economic ones) if China supported Russia.
Earlier China has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, refusing to use the term, but has expressed deep concern about the war, calling for a diplomatic solution. At the same time, Beijing announced that it supports the sovereignty and integrity of all states, including Ukraine.
Recall that US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held a two-hour video conversation on March 18, during which, in particular, discussed the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine. The leader of the PRC in a conversation criticized the President of the United States for the supply of weapons to Ukraine and sanctions against the Russian Federation.
