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,

China has stated its position on the war in Ukraine and named the winner that aligns with Beijing's political interests, according to the South China Morning Post. During a meeting with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas,

Ukraine confirms strike on missile battery plant in Lipetsk During a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump on July 3, Russian President Vladimir Putin said "Russia will continue to pursue its goals" in the war against Ukraine,