China won't take sides in the Ukraine-Russia conflict, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang told EU leaders on Friday.
Li told European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via video link that China "opposes division of blocs and taking sides," a Chinese diplomat said.
Saying that China is pushing for peace talks between the two sides in "its own way," Li reiterated that Beijing advocates for the safeguard of international law and international norms, including the territorial integrity of all countries, CCTV reported.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said at a daily briefing that Beijing "disapproves of solving problems through sanctions, and we are even more opposed to unilateral sanctions and long-arm jurisdiction that have no basis in international law."
During a break in the talks, EU Council President Charles Michel tweeted: "China and the EU have a mutual responsibility to use their joint influence and diplomacy to bring an end to Russia's war in Ukraine."
This is the first summit between EU and Chinese leaders in two years, DW reports.
