Spain asks China to use its influence to end war in Ukraine

OVIEDO, Spain

In a Monday phone call, Spain’s foreign minister asked his Chinese counterpart for Beijing to use its influence to end the war in Ukraine.

“We are facing a historic moment that requires all global leaders to have a sense of responsibility and vision for the future,” Jose Manuel Albares told Wang Yi, according to a Spanish Foreign Ministry statement.

In the call, Albares also acknowledged that sanctions “aren’t easy for anyone” but that Spain is ready to accept the consequences.

Albares also stressed Spain’s condemnation of Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

“Russia has undermined the foundations of peace and stability in Europe, which is also a threat to the entire international community,” said Albares.

The conversation came as tensions are rising between the US and China.

On Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian accused the US of spreading “disinformation” to “smear China.”

His accusation followed major Western media outlets reporting that Russia had asked China for military equipment and support for the war in Ukraine.

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN on Sunday that Beijing will pay “consequences for large large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them.”

On Monday, repeating Russian talking points, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman also said the US should give a full account of its “bio-military” activities in Ukraine and also condemned any US sale of weapons to Taiwan.