European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has escalated diplomatic tensions between Brussels and Beijing, warning that China’s growing alignment with Russia over the Ukraine conflict could have serious consequences for EU-China relations. Speaking at the European Parliament in Strasbourg on July 8, von der Leyen delivered a sharp rebuke of China’s role in what she described as enabling Moscow’s “war economy,” and called on Beijing to publicly denounce Russia’s actions in Ukraine.

Her speech reflects growing frustration within the European Union over China’s continued neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, a position that Brussels increasingly sees as tacit support for the Kremlin. “How China continues to interact with Putin’s war will be a determining factor for EU-China relations going forward,” von der Leyen stated. She accused Beijing of “de facto enabling” Russia’s war effort by continuing economic cooperation and refusing to condemn the invasion, which the EU views as a gross violation of international law.

Von der Leyen’s comments mark one of the strongest warnings yet from the European Commission towards China over its stance on Ukraine. While the European Union has repeatedly expressed concern over Beijing’s deepening ties with Moscow, this latest speech signals a more confrontational approach.

“China must unequivocally condemn Russia’s gross violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and internationally recognized borders,” she........

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