Beijing cannot afford to see Russia lose the Ukraine war, because it needs America focused on Moscow and Kyiv — and away from the Pacific, China’s top diplomat told his EU counterpart, according to a new report.

During a high-level meeting with European Union (EU) officials, China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that China cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas on July 3 that the country cannot afford for Russia to lose the war in Ukraine amid fears the U.S. would shift focus towards Beijing,