Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland, along with our EU partners, has consistently called on China to use its influence on Russia to press them to bring an end to their illegal war in Ukraine.

During my visit to Beijing earlier this month, I raised Russia's war in Ukraine with Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with Vice President Han, and with Minister Liu Jianchao. I underlined the impacts of the conflict on Ukraine and its people, including the loss of many young lives, and our concerns for the winter ahead, as well as the impacts on Europe and beyond. I was clear that the crisis remains central to EU policy making discussions and that China's position is an important factor in EU-China relations.

During a lengthy exchange with Foreign Minister Wang, I reiterated Ireland’s commitment to the United Nations and to the wider multilateral system and underlined that any peaceful solution to the war in Ukraine must be based on the United Nations Charter and must respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity. I asked Foreign Minister Wang to ensure that China play a constructive and active role on Ukraine commensurate with its global position, and, in particular, that China use its influence on Russia to advocate for an immediate, complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine. I noted Ireland’s desire that China engage with President Zelenskyy’s peace formula.

In our exchange, Foreign Minister Wang said that China wishes to see an end to the conflict, and that, in line with China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis, published in February 2023, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries must be effectively upheld.

The EU and China will hold a Summit meeting in early December. Russia’s war in Ukraine is likely to be central to discussions during that meeting. Ireland will continue to urge China to engage constructively and on the basis of the United Nations Charter to bring an end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.