Macron asked Xi Jinping to help in ending Russia’s war in Ukraine
Macron asked Xi Jinping for help to end Russia’s war in Ukraine during his visit to China. Xi Jinping pledged that China and France had a responsibility to maintain world peace. However, Russia stated that there was no possibility of a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Macron is also attempting to strengthen trade ties during his visit. After attending a military parade, Macron held frank and friendly talks with Xi Jinping, during which they discussed advocating for peace talks and seeking political solutions.
Mr Macron said “we can’t have a safe and stable Europe” as long as Ukraine remained occupied, and that it was “unacceptable” that a member of the UN Security Council had violated the organisation’s charter.
The French leader struck a cordial tone in his speech, often turning to Mr Xi during the press conference and addressing him directly. It stood in contrast to Mr Xi’s impassive delivery to the press.
In a separate press conference later, Ms von der Leyen stressed that if China provided arms to Russia, it would be against international law and “significantly harm” the relationship between the EU and China.
She also said she expected Beijing to play role that “promotes a just peace”, and that she stood “firmly” behind Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan – which calls for the complete withdrawal of Russian troops.
China has released its own peace plan which Western nations have been generally dismissive of, saying it sides too much with Russia. But Mr Zelensky has expressed interest in it and called for direct talks with Mr Xi – who has yet to publicly respond.
But Ms von der Leyen said during her discussion with Mr Xi he “reiterated willingness” to speak with Mr Zelensky “when the conditions and timing are right”.
On Thursday, Russia acknowledged that China has “a very effective and commanding potential for mediation”.
“But the situation with Ukraine is complex, so far there are no prospects for a peaceful settlement,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, who added that Russia had “no choice” but to continue with the war.
Mr Macron is being hosted at a state dinner on Thursday night, and on Friday the two will travel to the southern city of Guangzhou where they will dine again together privately.
The trip marks the most politically significant interaction Mr Xi has had with a Western leader since he met US President Joe Biden in November at the G20 summit in Bali last November.
With this visit Mr Macron, who has been keen to burnish his credentials as an international peace broker, has now had personal contact with all the major players in the Ukraine conflict.
Observers believe he knows he is unlikely to come back from this China trip with any major diplomatic achievement to boast of. The chances of Mr Xi changing his views on Russia and Ukraine in any significant way are, to say the least, small.
Mr Macron is likely to emphasis small advances, points in common, and the benefits of engagement through trade and talks.
He is said to believe that just because France is part of the Western alliance, and close to the US, does not mean it cannot deepen its relations with China which is allied to Russia.
In his remarks to the press, the French leader mentioned little of China’s human rights issues – a perennial point of contention between China and the West – but said that while they remain important to France, “it’s better to be respectful than to lecture”.
Mr Macron’s trip also saw several significant deals signed by French and Chinese corporations and cultural institutions, witnessed by him and Mr Xi.
He is travelling with a delegation comprising business leaders, artists and museum officials. They include top executives from plane manufacturer Airbus, luxury group LVMH, and nuclear energy producer EDF.
The trip to Beijing, four years after Mr Macron last paid a visit to Mr Xi, takes place during strikes and unrest in France over unpopular reforms of the pension system.