Ukraine holds first war criminal trial against Russian soldier
R“Usia is the ‘most direct threat’ to international order because of its invasion of Ukraine,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Tokyo on Thursday.
“[Russia] is today the most direct threat to the world order with the barbaric war against Ukraine and its worrying pact with China “, she said after meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida together with European Council President Charles Michel.
The highest-ranking EU officials are in Tokyo for an annual round of negotiations that will bring together much of the international community to press Moscow over the Ukraine war, and concerns are also growing about China’s role.
“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is not just a matter for Europe, but it shakes the core of the international order, including Asia. This must not be tolerated,” said Kishida, whose government has agreed to tough sanctions against Moscow, including energy. .
Beijing’s increasingly muscular stance in Asia was also on the agenda, with the EU wanting to take a more high-profile role in the confrontation with China.
“Our cooperation in Ukraine is crucial in Europe, but it is also important in the Indo-Pacific region and we also want to deepen our consultation on a more secure China,” said Michel.
“We believe that China must stand up to defend the multilateral system it has taken advantage of to develop its country.”