China walks back ambassador's claim that ex-Soviet states aren't real countries, a position that played strongly into Putin's hands

• China's foreign ministry walked back ambassador's comments dismissing ex-Soviet states' sovereignty.
• European countries reacted angrily to Lu Shaye's comments, which hinted at closer China-Russia ties.
• Russia questioned Ukrainian sovereignty as part of its justification for invading in February 2022.

On Monday, China disavowed comments from one of its ambassadors, who said that former Soviet states aren't real countries.

The comments led to a strong European backlash, with many seemingly worried that they signaled closer Beijing support for Russia's war in Ukraine.