French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to its senses” over the war in Ukraine and not supply arms to Moscow.
The French president, who arrived in Beijing on Wednesday for a three-day state visit, made it clear that he wanted to dissuade China from backing a Russian invasion of the neighboring country.
“I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and bring everyone to the negotiating table,” Macron said, addressing Xi during the bilateral talks.
The two leaders met on Thursday after an official welcoming ceremony in Tiananmen Square.
In press comments after the meeting, Xi said he was “ready to jointly call with France” for the resumption of “peace talks as soon as possible”, Chinese news agency Xinhua reported. Xi reaffirmed his continued support for the non-use of nuclear weapons and the commitment of parties to the conflict to “avoid attacks on civilians or civilian objects”.
“In this regard, everyone must be reminded of their responsibilities, especially Russia,” Macron replied.
Russian President Vladimir Putin’s recent announcement that he plans to deploy tactical nuclear weapons in Belarus “is not in line with commitments made to you, us and international law,” Macron said, standing next to the Chinese leader.
Xi visited Moscow last month, reaffirming his alliance with Putin, billed as an “anti-Western front”. However, the Chinese leader has yet to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the French diplomat, Xi expressed his willingness to speak to Zelenskyy, but only when “the time is right”.
Macron “warned Xi Jinping not to supply Russia with anything that could be used for a war against Ukraine,” the French diplomat added.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who accompanied Macron on his visit, welcomed Xi’s openness to talks with Zelenskyy.
Von der Leyen said she warned during her meeting with Chinese leaders on Thursday that arms deliveries to Russia would “significantly harm” China’s relationship with the EU.
“Joining the UN Security Council comes with great responsibilities, and we expect China to play its part and promote a just world with respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Ukraine, which is one of the founding provisions of the United Nations Charter,” said von dit der Leyen.
Macron’s visit to China, the first since 2019, comes amid increased Western pressure on Beijing to bring peace to Ukraine.
Beijing officially proclaims its neutrality, but Xi has never condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine .
Macron said he wanted “to be a unifying voice in Europe” on Ukraine, and that coming to China with von der Leyen “highlights the consistency of this approach”.
Macron’s talks with Xi were followed by a trilateral meeting with von der Leyen, after which the French and Chinese leaders took part in a government dinner.
