The unusual presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un together with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a parade in Beijing on Wednesday evoked sharp condemnation from the European Union.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas called the event "not just anti-Western optics" but a "direct challenge to the international system."
"It's not just symbolic. Russia's war in Ukraine is being sustained by Chinese support. These are realities that Europe needs to confront now," Kallas added.
Seeing President Xi standing together with the leaders of Russia, Iran, North Korea in Beijing today, these are not just anti-Western optics, this is a direct challenge to the international system based on rules," Kallas said to journalists, as cited by AFP.
"It will not be shaped without Europe, but it will be shaped by what Europe is willing to do, whether we are willing to recognise the need for Europe to play a geopolitical role," she added.
Kallas also cautioned, "We are witnessing intentional efforts to alter the global order. China and Russia also talk of spearheading changes unseen in a century and the adjustment of the international security order." In another speech, she said firmly that Europe needed to respond with more geopolitical determination.
An emerging new world order is in the process of being created," Kallas said, "and Europe cannot be a bystander. It will not be created without Europe, but it will be created by what Europe is prepared to do, whether we are prepared to accept that there needs to be a geopolitical role for Europe.
The military parade marking 80 years since the conclusion of World War II saw around two dozen foreign leaders join Xi in Tiananmen Square. Thousands of Chinese troops, cutting-edge weaponry, and a display aimed at showcasing Beijing's expanding global ambitions were on view.
Xi, riding in an open-top black limousine along the Avenue of Eternal Peace, inspected the troops, greeting them with a salute and the words: “Comrades, you’ve worked hard!” He emphasized that China would not bow to “pressure from any country” and called for a “world-class” military capable of modern warfare. Addressing mounting tensions with the US over trade, technology, and global influence, Xi signaled his intent to shape an alternative to the US-led world order.
The summit also hosted leading US competitors to meet in one place for the first time in years. Kim Jong Un's visit was his first multilateral appearance under his 14-year leadership, while Putin employed the summit to cement relations with both Beijing and Pyongyang.
At a summit in Beijing, Putin publicly acknowledged Kim for deploying troops to assist Russia's intervention in Ukraine, highlighting North Korea's participation in the fight for the border Kursk region. "On your initiative, as is well known, your special forces took part in the liberation of the Kursk region," Putin stated. "This was in full accordance with our new agreement. I would like to note that your soldiers fought courageously and heroically. We will never forget the sacrifices made by your armed forces and the families of your servicemen,".
US President Donald Trump also chimed in, accusing Xi, Putin, and Kim of conspiring against Washington. On a post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized America's sacrifices in World War II in assisting China's freedom:
"The big question to be answered is whether or not President Xi of China will mention the massive amount of support and ‘blood’ that The United States of America gave to China in order to help it to secure its FREEDOM from a very unfriendly foreign invader. Many Americans died in China’s quest for Victory and Glory," Trump wrote.
"I hope that they are rightfully Honored and Remembered for their Bravery and Sacrifice! May President Xi and the wonderful people of China have a great and lasting day of celebration. Please give my warmest regards to Vladimir Putin, and Kim Jong Un, as you conspire against The United States of America," he added.
The Kremlin dismissed Trump’s comments. Senior aide Yuri Ushakov said, "no one has been conspiring, no one has been plotting anything, no conspiracies."
"Trump may have been being ironic. No one even had such a thought — none of these three leaders had such a thought," he added.
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