Denmark calls on China to 'speak up' to Russia over Ukraine

Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on Wednesday that he plans to ask China to take a stronger position on Ukraine and to speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the war.

"We need China to take a stronger position," Rasmussen told Reuters in Shanghai at the start of his three-day visit to China.

"Putin is not listening to European leaders, but is clearly listening to China. So I want to argue that China should speak up," he said.

Rasmussen said he will discuss Ukraine and bilateral cooperation on green energy with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi when the two meet on Friday in Beijing. He will also meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday.

Denmark is a strong supporter of the Ukraine war effort. In June, it increased its military aid to Ukraine to over $3 billion over the next five years.