(MENAFN) China on Thursday strongly condemned the European Union’s latest sanctions on Russia, emphasizing that dialogue and negotiation remain the “only viable way” to end the conflict in Ukraine.

“China firmly opposes this decision and has lodged serious protests with the EU side,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a Beijing briefing. He stressed that China “is not the creator of the current crisis, nor a party to it,” and highlighted Beijing’s commitment to peace talks, its refusal to supply lethal weapons to any party, and strict export controls on dual-use goods.

Guo called on the EU to “stop making an issue about China” and avoid undermining its interests, warning that such actions could harm the “sound and steady development of China-EU ties.”

The announcement came after the EU imposed its 19th round of sanctions targeting Russian banks, crypto exchanges, and certain entities in India and China. The US also imposed new sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, citing Moscow’s “lack of serious commitment” to peace negotiations.

“Coercion and putting pressure on others will not solve any problem,” Guo added, highlighting China’s stance that only diplomatic engagement can bring lasting resolution to the war, which has caused millions of casualties and widespread displacement.

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