Central Europe Demands Clarification From China

Outrage and condemnation from CEE after Chinese Ambassador Lu Shaye claimed former-Soviet states do not exist. Poland’s nationalist government is becoming increasingly erratic on the domestic and international scene as opinion polls show it may find it hard to retain power in the October elections after angering farmers, a key electorate, over Ukrainian grain imports.

Upcoming on Visegrad Insight:

• Iván László Nagy breaks down how the Orbán regime weaponises crises.
• Adam Jasser takes a look at Poland’s claim to be the EU’s new “centre of gravity”.
• Dorka Takacsy analyses how Moscow is using Hungarian disinformation for its domestic audience.

EU/REGIONAL

• NATO leaders agree Ukraine would eventually become a member of the alliance after the war is over, NATO’s Jens Stoltenberg said on 20 April. Stoltenberg’s comments came as allies from 50 countries gathered for the meeting at Ramstein, Germany. 
• EU’s Foreign Affairs Council to take place on 24 April in Luxembourg. Agenda Highlights include the EU action plan on the geopolitical consequences of Russian aggression against Ukraine, including developments in Sudan, China and Moldova. It will feature a working lunch with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia Illia Darchiashvili.
• France and Poland are in disagreement over Ukraine’s ammunition supply. France is keen on protecting suppliers from inside the EU, while other member countries, including Poland, want to keep US and UK companies involved. Swedish EU Presidency compromise proposes contractors to include “economic operators established in the Union and Norway.”
• China’s diplomat questions the sovereignty of CEE countries. Remarks by China’s Ambassador to France on LCI tv channel exposing Beijing’s contempt for the sovereignty of ex-Soviet countries and Ukraine in particular.
• The Social Climate Fund (SCF) was voted in by the European Parliament as part of the Fit-for-55 package. SCF is the first EU Fund designed to aid vulnerable households, transport users and micro-enterprises.
• EU – Uzbekistan Cooperation Council takes place on 24 April
• Eurogroup and informal meeting of EU finance ministers and central bank governors will be held on 28-29 April.

If anyone is still wondering why the Baltic States don't trust China to "broker peace in Ukraine", here's a Chinese ambassador arguing that Crimea is Russian and our countries' borders have no legal basis. pic.twitter.com/JaloJnSEx3