French President Emmanuel Macron and his European Commission counterpart Ursula von der Leyen arrived in China on Wednesday for a three-day visit. Both European leaders intend to persuade Chinese President Xi Jinping to oppose Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and help reach a negotiated end to the war.
Macron Urges Xi for Peace Talks with Russia
Leaders of France and the EU met on Thursday in China for a formal meeting with China’s Xi Jinping after a welcome ceremony in Tiananmen Square. The officials described the talks as “frank” and “friendly.”
The meeting comes after years of strained relations with China over issues ranging from a stalled investment pact to China’s neutral stance and refusal to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
France's Macron tells China's Xi that he is counting on him to "bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table." https://t.co/Xqm5BgMGWy
— DW News (@dwnews) April 6, 2023
Macron stated in his opening remarks in Beijing that Russia had “put an end to decades of peace in Europe,” and that respecting recognised international borders was “an important issue for China, as much as it is for France and Europe.”
Additionally, Macron recognised the need for “respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is the only condition for lasting peace.” He said to Xi Jinping in Beijing that “I know I can count on you to bring Russia back to its senses and everyone back to the negotiating table.”
The French president also asked Xi to put pressure on Russia to follow international nuclear non-proliferation rules after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus. He even pleaded with China not to send arms to Russia.
EU Chief Urges China to Take a Responsible Stance
EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen said that Xi Jinping “reiterated his willingness to speak” to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, stating that the conversation would happen when the “conditions and time are right.”
Leyen said that Russia needs to end the invasion and withdraw troops from Ukraine to restore peace. She stressed that if China provided military support to Russia with arms and ammunition, it would “significantly harm” the relationship between the EU and China.
The EU chief further noted that China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is responsible for influencing Russia to end the war with Ukraine.
The leaders of France and the EU are in China, where they are hoping to persuade president Xi Jingping to use his influence over Russia to bring an end to its war in Ukraine pic.twitter.com/1RQU8hYfYq
— TRT World (@trtworld) April 6, 2023
Xi Affirms Support for International Peace
Following the talks with leaders of France and the EU, Macron and Xi made a joint call for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow “as soon as possible,” and the Chinese president stated that they are ready to call on the international community to resolve the Ukrainian conflict through diplomatic means.
The Chinese leader also strongly condemned attacks on civilians and civilian facilities and noted the importance of adhering to international humanitarian laws.