Chinese ambassador sparks outrage in Europe for questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet states
3 min read
Chinese ambassador remarks questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet states sparks outrage in Europe
Chinese ambassador remarks questioning the sovereignty of former Soviet states sparks outrage in Europe.
European countries are demanding answers from Beijing after its top diplomat in Paris questioned the sovereignty of former Soviet republics, in comments that could undermine China’s efforts to be seen as a potential mediator between Russia and Ukraine.
Officials from Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, France, and the European Union have all hit back against remarks made by China’s ambassador to France Lu Shaye, who said during a television interview that former Soviet countries, including the Baltic states, don’t have “effective status in international law.”
Lu made the remarks in response to a question whether Crimea, which was illegally annexed by Russia in 2014, was part of Ukraine.
“Even these ex-Soviet countries don’t have an effective status in international law because there was no international agreement to materialize their status as sovereign countries,” Lu said, after first noting that the question of Crimea “depends on how the problem is perceived” as the region was “at the beginning Russian” and then “offered to Ukraine during the Soviet era.”
The remarks appeared to disavow the sovereignty of countries that became independent states and United Nations members after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 – and come amid Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine under leader Vladimir Putin’s vision the country should be part of Russia.
China has so far refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine or call for a withdrawal of its troops, instead urging restraint by “all parties” and accusing NATO of fueling the conflict. It has also continued to deepen diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow.
EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell responded Sunday calling the remarks “unacceptable.”
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“The EU can only suppose these declarations do not represent China’s official policy,” Borrell said in a statement on Twitter.
France also responded Sunday, with its Foreign Ministry stating its “full solidarity” with all the allied countries affected and calling on China to clarify whether these comments reflect its position, according to Reuters.
Several leaders in former Soviet states, including Ukraine, were quick to hit back following the interview, which aired Friday on French station LCI.
Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics called for an “explanation from the Chinese side and complete retraction of this statement” in a post on Twitter Saturday.
He pledged to raise the issue during a meeting of EU foreign ministers Monday, where relations with China are expected to be discussed.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNN on Monday.
Beijing has formal diplomatic relations with post-Soviet states, which include Russia.
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