Calls for Ukraine peace talks made by France and China, with Xi stressing the need for ‘restraint’.
French and EU leaders met with Xi Jinping, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, in Beijing on Thursday to make Europe’s case for ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, sought to dissuade China from supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
After discussing principles with Xi, the French president called for “much more demanding conversation” with Russia through diplomatic avenues, using stronger language than his counterpart to condemn “humanitarian violations” in Ukraine and nuclear weapon usage.
Xi called for “restraint from all political partners” in Ukraine and said China hoped for peace to be achieved through a “political solution”.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a “much more demanding conversation” with Russia regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Macron condemned the “humanitarian violations” occurring in Ukraine and the use of nuclear weapons, using stronger language than his counterpart.
Macron’s comments come as tensions remain high between Ukraine and Russia, with ongoing fighting between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists in the eastern Donbass region. The conflict has resulted in over 13,000 deaths since it began in 2014.
The French president’s call for tougher diplomatic action against Russia echoes the sentiments of many Western leaders who have criticized Moscow’s involvement in the conflict. The European Union and the United States have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to its actions in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Xi called for “restraint from all political partners” in Ukraine and expressed hope that peace could be achieved through a “political solution”. China has maintained a neutral stance on the Ukraine crisis, but has been involved in peace talks alongside France, Germany, Russia, and Ukraine.
The meeting between Macron and Xi also covered other issues including climate change, trade, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Both leaders emphasized the importance of international cooperation in addressing these global challenges.
Overall, Macron’s call for a stronger stance against Russia in the Ukraine conflict indicates a continued commitment by Western leaders to hold Moscow accountable for its actions. However, it remains to be seen whether diplomatic efforts will be successful in resolving the ongoing crisis.
Western pressure is mounting on China to help push for peace in Ukraine, however, Beijing is officially neutral and has never condemned the Russian invasion.
Jowhar
