Putin’s presence in Chinese parade mulls EU diplomats in staying abeyance

European missions in Beijing are especially troubled by Russian leader’s presence amid intensified attacks on Ukraine, and hence are proactively thinking of staying in abeyance from the once in a ten years military parade in the Chinese capital of Beijing. The last of the parade was in 2015.

As per protocols, the European missions in Beijing have been invited to the parade and events on the same day but are particularly troubled by the Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attendance as Moscow has intensified its attacks on Ukrainian territory. As the war in Ukraine drags on, some European diplomats were conflicted over being in the presence of “the same troops that invaded Ukraine”, one of them said, although there is no confirmation that Russian troops will take part.

As per official release, President Putin would travel to China from August 31 to September 03 to take part in the rare military parade Beijing is staging to commemorate the end of World War II. He will also attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The parade – poised to be only the second time China has held such an event commemorating the war’s end – will offer Beijing a chance to showcase its military’s combat capabilities and expanded global clout.

At the inaugural edition in 2015, some 76-man strong elite Russian Honour Guard was part of the formation. The European Union’s ambassador to China, Jorge Toledo, would not be attending the parade, according to one source, alongside several envoys having decided against attending, while others, have chosen to go on leave or abroad for their holidays during the same period.

In 2015, the foreign ministers of France, Hungary and Italy attended the event while the Czech Republic and Serbia sent their presidents. Former British prime minister Tony Blair and former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder also attended. While, for the next month’s parade, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico have already confirmed their attendance. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not confirmed his presence yet, although official been invited.

European countries have aired deep concerns over the situation in Ukraine as Russian forces have ramped up attacks in recent weeks. On Friday, after talks in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Putin failed to deliver a ceasefire in Ukraine, European leaders said they stood ready to “uphold the pressure” on Russia “as long as the killing in Ukraine continues. We will continue to strengthen sanctions and wider economic measures to put pressure on Russia’s war economy until there is a just and lasting peace”, according to a statement signed by the leaders of Britain, Finland, France, Germany, Italy and Poland, as well as the European Commission and European Council.

Tensions between Brussels and Beijing remain high despite a recent summit, marked by mounting concerns among EU leaders over China’s industrial overcapacity and its stance on Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the 3½-year armed conflict. At last month’s summit in Beijing with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said the two sides should “make the right strategic choice” and “properly handle differences and frictions”. Xi further urged Europe and China to find common ground and “refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools”.

On Wednesday, in another sign of rising trade tensions, China announced sanctions on two European banks. Beijing’s move followed earlier sanctions imposed by the European bloc on two small Chinese banks accused of facilitating the exchange of digital assets that are “significantly frustrating” EU sanctions.

Team Maverick