cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/41855309

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China is increasingly dictating the course of Russia’s policy and it could push Moscow to end the war in Ukraine, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200).

Tsahkna was on an official visit to China last week, the first visit by an Estonian foreign minister in 10 years.

“My main task was to tell the Chinese foreign minister that Russia poses an existential threat to Europe and to Estonia. I reminded him that without China, Russia would not be able to carry out such aggression against Ukraine. The numbers show this is true, and it must be said plainly who holds economic and political control over Russia. If China wants to have good relations with Estonia, these issues must be addressed,” Tsahkna [said].

  • Lembot_0005@lemy.lol
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    15 hours ago

    That’s nice, but the countries are too different in economics. Estonia can’t push China to change their foreign politics.

    • Goodlucksil@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      14 hours ago

      Better to do something insignificant than not do it because it is useless. It may inspire another country to do the same.

    • Sepia@mander.xyzOP
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      15 hours ago

      True. But the EU is a larger bloc. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, there are many others. Stopping support for Russia is also only one requirement imo, but it would be a first step.

      At least China’s (along with India’s) December purchases of Russian oil are set to drop over Western sanctions, according to the data. I don’t say Estonia alone can achieve something, and I may be mistaken of course, but it’s important that the Estonian FM makes such a public statement imho.

      • talkingpumpkin@lemmy.world
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        15 hours ago

        Sorry, but the EU is not a block :(

        It’s a jumble of petty governments, most of which have sold themselves off to either Trump or Putin (or both).

          • talkingpumpkin@lemmy.world
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            14 hours ago

            Your source?

            Anyway, even if that was the case, it’s not like Putin cannot have opinions that also happen to be true (is water less wet if Putin thinks it’s wet?).

            Don’t get me wrong… I’m not defending that inhuman monster, but he is definitely not an idiot.

            I’d even say he might be one of the shrewdest and most cunning government heads out there, which of course only make him more dangerous.