Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the European Union’s foreign-policy chief, Kaja Kallas, that Beijing "does not want to see Russia lose its war in Ukraine" because a Russian defeat could free the United States to concentrate its strategic attention on China, according to multiple officials briefed on their 3 July meeting in Brussels. The remarks, first reported by the South China Morning Post and later confirmed to CNN, contradict Beijing’s public posture of neutrality in the conflict. The closed-door discussion lasted roughly four hours and ranged from cyber-security and rare-earth supplies to trade imbalances and Taiwan. EU officials present said they were struck by Wang’s candour. While asserting that China could not accept a Russian defeat, Wang rejected accusations that Beijing is providing Moscow with financial or military assistance, arguing that the war would already have ended had such support been forthcoming. Asked about the reports at a regular briefing on 4 July, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated that China "is not a party to the Ukraine issue" and called for a negotiated peace. The exchange comes as Wang completes a European tour intended to prepare for an EU-China summit scheduled for later this month, where the bloc plans to press Beijing over its ties with Moscow and widening trade frictions.