During his three-day visit to Beijing on December 4, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Chinese leader Xi Jinping to assist in stopping Russia’s war against Ukraine. This visit marks Macron’s fourth trip to China during his presidency, and he views this journey as an opportunity to engage Beijing in finding ways to cease hostilities in the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II.
This is reported by Kyiv24
China’s Position on the War in Ukraine
China, which remains a key trading partner of the Russian Federation, has repeatedly stated its neutral position regarding the war, refraining from direct assessments and condemnation of Moscow’s actions. During talks with Macron, Xi Jinping emphasized that Beijing advocates for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and supports efforts aimed at restoring stability.
“China supports all efforts aimed at peace and hopes that all parties will reach a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement acceptable to all.”
France’s Role and the West’s Reaction
Macron’s meeting with the Chinese leader comes amid intensified diplomatic efforts by the United States to mediate an end to the war, which has been ongoing for nearly four years. According to Western analysts, the French president opposes plans that take into account Russia’s demands and insists on the necessity of a comprehensive settlement that considers the interests of all parties.
During the negotiations, Macron stressed the importance of achieving at least a temporary ceasefire as soon as possible, particularly in the form of a moratorium on attacks against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.
While China regularly calls for negotiations and emphasizes the need to respect the territorial integrity of all countries, Beijing has not condemned Russia’s invasion in 2022. Meanwhile, Western countries claim that China is providing economic support to Russia, including supplying components for the Russian defense industry.