“Bringing Russia to Reason”
Macron and Xi call for speedy peace talks
04/06/2023, 12:18 p.m
China could play an important mediating role in the Ukraine war. France’s President wants to influence his counterpart during his state visit to Beijing. As far as a diplomatic solution to the conflict is concerned, both show agreement.
China’s head of state Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron have spoken out in Beijing in favor of starting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine “as soon as possible”. At a joint press conference, both reaffirmed their rejection of the use of nuclear weapons in the Ukraine war.
Both called on the international community to avoid further escalation, according to Xi Jinping. Europe is an independent member of a multipolar world and China supports its strategic autonomy, the Chinese President said.
Macron is currently on a three-day state visit to China and wants to persuade Xi to use his influence with Russia to promote a peace solution in Ukraine. He was hopeful that China could play a mediating role. “I know I can count on you to bring Russia to their senses and bring everyone involved to the negotiating table,” Macron told Xi in Beijing.
For his part, the Chinese President praised the relations between the two countries, which are showing “positive and regular development”. Xi also pointed out that the world today is experiencing “a historically profound change.” Xi received Macron on a red carpet outside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The two presidents then met for talks, accompanied by several ministers. In the published images from the start of the meeting, Macron and Xi were the only ones not wearing FFP2 masks.
Although China presented a “peace plan” in February, it has not yet condemned the Russian invasion. Xi is one of the few prominent politicians who has not yet spoken directly to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the phone.