Chinese ambassador says Ukraine crisis has hurt relations with EU -report

An attendant walks past EU and China flags ahead of the EU-China High-level Economic Dialogue in Beijing
An attendant walks past EU and China flags ahead of the EU-China High-level Economic Dialogue at Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China June 25, 2018. REUTERS/Jason Lee

Dec 23 (Reuters) - Russia's invasion of Ukraine has put China in a "very difficult position" for its bilateral relations with the European Union, Fu Cong, the Chinese ambassador to the EU, was quoted as saying in an interview with the South China Morning Post published on Friday.

Fu said one of his priorities in the new role was to "depoliticise" EU-China relations, SCMP reported.

He said that China was not benefiting from the war, and did not have any interest in prolonging the conflict, the newspaper said. Fu added that China's position was "quite balanced" and that the country is ready to engage in peaceful efforts, the Morning Post said.

European Council President Charles Michel urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to use the country's "influence" on Russia over its war in Ukraine during a visit to Beijing earlier this month.

(This story has been refiled to correct the family name of the Chinese ambassador)

Reporting by Rahat Sandhu in Bengaluru; editing by Jonathan Oatis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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