Senior Chinese diplomat Wang Yi spoke by phone with Emmanuel Bonn, who serves as foreign policy adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron. The разговор focused on laying groundwork to begin a political settlement process for the war in Ukraine. Bloomberg cited the discussion as a step toward creating conditions that could propel negotiations forward, signaling a shared willingness from Beijing and Paris to explore channels that might lead to a durable ceasefire and political dialogue.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the call, while the French Foreign Office chose not to publish a statement on its website. In Beijing, officials underscored a principle that any path to peace must respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Paris emphasized the need for a structured framework that could support future talks among all relevant parties. Observers noted that the ultimate reception of Macron’s proposal would depend on the reception by Kyiv and its allies, as well as the practical steps that could be agreed in subsequent discussions.
Earlier, Macron instructed Bonn to collaborate with Wang Yi to craft a framework that could serve as a foundation for negotiations. The aim was to outline a credible process that participants from both sides could endorse, potentially bridging gaps created by competing security concerns and diverging political timelines. Analysts cautioned that even with a shared interest in reducing tensions, reaching broad consensus would require careful balancing of security guarantees, sovereignty concerns, and regional assurances from European partners and North American allies.
France’s effort to engage China as a mediator in Ukraine has drawn mixed responses. Critics point to lingering doubts about China’s willingness to pressure Russia or to align its positions with Western expectations. Meanwhile, some observers argue that any mediation track could help isolate hardline positions and create space for incremental steps toward de-escalation, provided the parties maintain strict independence from external pressures and adhere to internationally recognized norms.
In April, several European capitals voiced skepticism about Macron’s mediation proposal, warning that any framework must be grounded in clear commitments from all involved parties and not rely on a single power to dictate terms. The discussions highlighted the delicate task of managing competing narratives while preserving unity among European Union members and allied nations in North America who seek a credible path to peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and regional stability.
Earlier this year, China publicly introduced a 12-point peace plan intended to reaffirm dialogue between Moscow and Kyiv, calling for resumed talks, ceasefires, and restraint to prevent further escalation. The proposal outlines a staged approach that prioritizes de-escalation, humanitarian access, and confidence-building measures while encouraging direct engagement between the warring sides. Analysts stress that successful implementation would require verification mechanisms and robust support from international institutions to monitor compliance and gather data on progress and setbacks.