Beijing should talk to Selenskyj
Scholz and Macron speak to Xi’s conscience
03/24/2023, 5:50 p.m
During the week, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping demonstrate unity. Nevertheless, the German head of government and the French head of state see room for negotiations. Macron is pushing for European unity, Scholz for picking up the phone.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is urging the Chinese leadership in Beijing not only to talk to Russia, but also to Ukraine. After the EU summit in Brussels, Scholz declared “that you shouldn’t just talk to the Russian president, but also to the Ukrainian one.” The Chancellor also reiterated that for him the basis of a fair peace in Ukraine is the withdrawal of Russia’s troops. “That is clear to me at least and must then also be said in the public debate.”
China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin last Tuesday to talk about the war and the expansion of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Beijing had previously presented its own peace plan for Ukraine, which largely coincides with Russian demands. In February, the US government also warned against Chinese arms deliveries to Russia.
To all appearances, however, this has not happened so far. So far, such deliveries have not been observed, said Scholz in Brussels. At the same time, the Chancellor warned China not to change its mind: That would be “a bad mistake,” said Scholz.
Europe must speak with one voice
Not only in Berlin, but also in Paris attempts are being made to influence the Chinese leadership. After the EU summit in Brussels, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen should accompany him on his trip to China in April. Macron said after the end of the summit in Belgium that he had also spoken to Chancellor Scholz about the fact that Europe had to speak with one voice in China.
“We agree that we want to get China on our side to put pressure on Russia not to use chemical weapons or nuclear weapons,” Macron said. He wants to travel to China from April 4th to 8th. Macron had welcomed the Chinese peace plan for Ukraine in principle, but at the same time asked Beijing not to deliver weapons to Russia.
Scholz had already traveled to Beijing in early November. Macron had previously advertised in Berlin for a trip together. However, Scholz refused because it was his inaugural visit as Chancellor.