BRUSSELS - The EU vowed billions of dollars of investment in Southeast Asia on Wednesday, as leaders looked to bolster ties at a summit in the face of the Ukraine war and challenges from China.
The EU has been on a diplomatic push to galvanise a global front against Moscow as its invasion has sent economic and political shock waves around the world. The diverging views led to intense wrangling over a final declaration from the summit as the EU pushed for stronger language to condemn Moscow. But China remains the biggest trade partner for Asean and many in the region are wary of distancing themselves from their giant neighbour.