French President Emmanuel Macron, on a state visit to China, urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to help stop Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Tweeting in French, English and Mandarin, Macron wrote, “I am convinced that China has a major role to play in building peace. This is what I have come to discuss, to move forward on. With President XI Jinping, we will also talk about our businesses, the climate and biodiversity, and food security.”
To Xi himself, Macron said, “I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses, and bring everyone back to the negotiating table.”
However, Xi reportedly gave no hint that he would use his influence to help end the war, stating that “all sides” have “reasonable security concerns.”
“China is willing to jointly appeal with France to the international community to remain rational and calm,” Xi added during a press conference alongside Macron at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.
And as he did during a recent visit to Moscow, Xi urged that peace talks be resumed.
However, China’s 12-point peace plan has been dismissed by the West as too favorable to Russia, which China has refused to condemn for its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said there were “no prospects for a peaceful settlement” so far and its offensive would continue.
Following Xi’s visit to Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky invited the Chinese leader to visit his country, but so far there’s no sign Xi has accepted the invitation. However, during Macron’s visit, Xi said he was ready to speak with Zelensky by phone—when the time comes.
