Australia is calling on China to lean on Russia and help end the war in Ukraine. After a discussion with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Friday, Australia’s foreign minister, Penny Wong, stated that Canberra asked Beijing to use its influence with Moscow to bring about a stop to Russia’s invasion, which began last February. She emphasized that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, carries a responsibility to back the UN Charter and to press for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The message was conveyed during exchanges that followed a parallel meeting with the United Nations General Assembly in New York and came amid ongoing diplomacy aimed at de-escalating tensions in the region.
Wong described Russian President Vladimir Putin’s threat to employ nuclear weapons as something unimaginable and irresponsible. Her remarks followed a period of constructive dialogue with the Chinese counterpart, underscoring that both sides rely on dialogue and restraint as channels to prevent a broader crisis.
In addition to Ukraine, Wong reiterated calls for restraint and de-escalation around Taiwan. This stance follows recent remarks by U.S. President Joe Biden, which touched on the possibility of external military involvement in defending Taiwan in the event of an invasion. Biden’s comments have been met with a cautious response from the administration, reflecting the delicate balance in cross-strait relations and the broader effort to avoid miscalculation during a period of heightened security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.