- Chinese envoy to France questioned the independence of ex-Soviet states, causing anger in Europe.
- Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia announced plans to summon the top Chinese diplomats in their nations to explain the comments.
- The comments threaten to overshadow China's attempts to portray itself as a peacemaker in Russia's war in Ukraine.
- France's foreign ministry reiterated the illegality of the Crimea annexation under international law.
- Taiwan voiced support for Lithuania's position, seeking European support as Beijing seeks to peel off its remaining diplomatic allies.
Anger in Europe After Chinese Diplomat Says Ex-Soviet States Not Sovereign
European states reacted with fury to remarks by China’s top envoy to France questioning the independence of ex-Soviet states, tainting the nation’s push to court leaders in the region and burnish its credentials to broker peace after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Low De Wei
