Ukraine and Russia should take the initiative to overcome the crisis and end the armed conflict, because there is no panacea for this. This was stated by Chinese President Xi Jinping after meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, the press service of the Chinese Foreign Ministry reported.
“China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, its essence is to support peace negotiations and a political solution. “There is no miraculous cure to the crisis, all parties must take the initiative and create conditions for the end of hostilities and the start of peace negotiations by creating an atmosphere of mutual trust,” Xi said.
He noted that Beijing supports Europe’s desire to resolve the conflict and is ready to work with Paris to bring the warring parties to negotiations and prevent actions that could lead to escalation.
At the same time, Politico states that Macron failed to persuade the Chinese leader to change his stance on the Ukraine conflict.
Xi supported his longstanding stance, saying the parties had “reasonable security concerns” and gave no hint that he would use his influence to end the conflict.
Xi also said that peace talks between Kiev and Moscow should begin as soon as possible. But the positions of both sides must be taken into account and guided by the UN Charter. According to the Chinese leader, only in this way will it be possible to achieve a balanced and sustainable structure of European security.
Citing a French diplomat who attended the meeting between the two leaders, Politico writes that Macron tried to warn China not to supply arms to Russia, but failed.
“The President urged Xi not to supply Russia with supplies to aid him in his war against Ukraine. Xi said this war is not his concern.
In total, the talks between the leaders lasted about an hour and a half. Politico noted that in its last press conference, Macron talked about twice as tall as Xi. And at that time, the Chinese leader looked annoyed and showed impatience. Before the trip to China, Macron’s circle had stated that Paris would see it as a success if the President of the People’s Republic of China invited Vladimir Zelensky to a long-term dialogue with Moscow after the French leader’s visit.
At the same time, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who made a study trip to Beijing after negotiations with the Chinese side on the evening of April 6, said that Xi Jinping was ready to meet with Zelenskiy, but only when “favorable conditions are created” for this. .
Russian State Duma Spokesperson Vyacheslav Volodin commented on the French president’s visit to China and the statements of the parties after the visit, expressing the opinion that Macron came to Beijing to raise his declining rating in the background. due to raising the retirement age.
Macron needs to think about what’s going on in France and not give advice. As far as I know, if the election was held today, another candidate would have won… He went to China to raise his rating. You have to protect your country.”
Volodin said in an interview with Pavel Zarubin on Russia 1 channel.
Before Macron and von der Leyen’s visit to Beijing, European media wrote that the leaders will try to persuade China to change its position in the Ukrainian conflict, stop supporting Moscow and condemn its actions. At the same time, analysts were skeptical about their prospects in China, noting that European politicians are using the wrong leverage, especially financial ones, to put pressure on China.
Foreign publications also reported that after Xi Jinping’s visit to Moscow in late March, Zelensky tried to meet with the Chinese leader, but Beijing refused.