Macron emphasizes that China is aware of the current state of play in Ukraine: the moment for talks has not arrived. He notes that Beijing understands the military realities on the ground and that there is no room for formal negotiations at this stage. Yet he argues that maintaining a steady, future-looking conversation with China is essential. Such dialogue, he suggests, can help shape a common approach that could underpin a broader settlement once conditions are right, without forcing an abrupt change in positions. The point, as he frames it, is to keep channels open so that when the time comes, all sides can move toward a constructive outcome with credibility and trust guiding the process.
During his state visit to Beijing, Macron addressed foreign policy concerns with a clear message: Ukraine remains a central question, but not the immediate objective of Chinese diplomacy. He asserts that China’s emphasis on maintaining stability and pursuing dialogue should not be mistaken for indifference to the crisis. Instead, he views Beijing’s willingness to engage as a potential lever to temper public rhetoric and reduce the risk of escalatory commentary about the conflict. In his view, a careful, patient approach to dialogue can help uncover areas of convergence that may later support a practical framework for peace talks, should conditions become favorable and consensus among major actors grows stronger. The nuanced stance highlights the importance of calibrated diplomacy, where dialogue acts as a bridge rather than a substitute for decisive action.
Macron reinforces that the Ukrainian people are enduring a difficult and ongoing struggle, receiving broad international support that is both timely and targeted. The French president notes that while the immediate priority remains military assistance and humanitarian relief, the long arc of diplomacy cannot be neglected. He explains that maintaining a candid conversation with China is not about rushing negotiations, but about laying the groundwork for a shared strategic vocabulary. This shared vocabulary, built through ongoing discussions, aims to align essential principles such as respect for sovereignty, protection of civilian lives, and the quest for a durable political solution. In this framework, France envisions a future dialogue with Beijing that strengthens alignment on consequences, timelines, and the sequencing of steps toward a peaceful resolution that can withstand scrutiny from all sides. The underlying intention is to ensure that China, like other powers, participates in a constructive process rather than avoiding responsibility or signaling a withdrawal from engagement.
According to Macron, China and Europe each bring distinct perspectives to the table, and the goal is to create a common frame that can support a more effective exit from the current stalemate. He reiterates that the emphasis is not on pushing a premature deal, but on building trust through principled cooperation and clear, verifiable actions. The interview, conducted with Les Echos, underscores a pragmatic view: diplomacy is a tool to soften harsh rhetoric and to clarify what both sides are prepared to compromise on in the future. The French leader stresses that this approach requires patience, discipline, and a willingness to keep the channels open, even when progress seems slow. In short, the strategy is to prepare for dialogue that strengthens mutual understanding and creates the conditions for a sustainable resolution when the moment to negotiate arrives, rather than forcing a move that could backfire amid evolving battlefield realities. This stance reflects a broader belief in the value of steady, principled engagement as a path toward plural and durable outcomes in international relations.