The U.S. on July 25 urged China to stop enabling Russia's war in Ukraine during a UN Security Council meeting, prompting a sharp rebuke from Beijing, which accused Washington of creating confrontation.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s top diplomat that Beijing can’t accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine as this could allow the United States to turn its full attention to China,

The U.S. said China should stop fueling Russian aggression while China said it is not a party to the Ukraine war.

Half a century after the establishment of relations between China and the EU, and against a backdrop of deteriorating transatlantic relations, the European Union and China held their 25th summit in Beijing.

Responding to a question about new round of sanctions announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky which targeted 53 individuals and legal entities from China and other countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Monday that China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council.

After Trump’s election, China and Europe sought warmer ties, but rifts over Russia and trade sparked conflict.

Expectations were low for the summit in the Chinese capital marking 50 years of diplomatic ties.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused China of deeper involvement in Russia's invasion than it is letting on. Beijing has repeatedly said China is not a party to or participant in the Ukraine war, and does not provide weapons to either side.

For the third time in as many months, US and Chinese officials will meet in Europe for trade talks — and this time, Beijing is arriving at the negotiating table more emboldened than ever.