EU's sanctioning of Chinese financial institutions unjustifiable

The European Union announced its 18th package of sanctions against Russia on Friday, which, for the first time, listed two Chinese financial institutions. This move is both unjustified and counterproductive.

The EU should first ask itself whether the sanctions will help end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. They will not. Instead of creating conditions for de-escalation and dialogue, these measures risk prolonging the conflict and increasing its complexity. Which has been verified by the previous sanctions the EU has imposed.

On the Ukraine crisis, the EU has repeatedly cast aspersions on China, accusing it of enabling Russia's military operations.