Close EU ties with China hinder efforts to increase pressure on Russia: Kallas explains

"China might also hurt you, and that’s the problem. If you’re not willing to pay the price that they are going to impose on you, then it’s hard to act," Kallas said.

She clarified that the EU is trying to pressure China to stop helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions. In particular, the bloc imposed restrictions on several Chinese companies in October.

Kallas pointed out that without Beijing’s support, Russia’s war against Ukraine would already be over.

"China has been very clever in really growing their geopolitical influence," added the EU’s top diplomat.

Kallas called on allies to act together, emphasizing that the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and others also feel the impact of Beijing’s actions.

"The problem is that we are not acting united here," she said.

In recent weeks, the EU has realized the vulnerability of its companies after Beijing restricted the supply of rare-earth metals, which are necessary for producing everything from electric vehicle batteries to military equipment, demanding that companies obtain import permits.

European automakers have also faced the threat of a microchip shortage after Nexperia, a China-owned company, halted supplies due to a political conflict.

China’s support for Russia

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that China is helping Russia in its war against Ukraine. According to the Ukrainian leader, Beijing is not interested in Ukraine achieving victory in the conflict.

At the same time, Chinese officials are trying to create the illusion of neutrality and a peacekeeping stance.

In particular, in October, US President Donald Trump met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping.

According to the American leader, they "talked at length" about Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Trump noted that Xi Jinping allegedly intends to help bring the conflict to a resolution.