Macron says China can help bring Russia to ‘senses’ over Ukraine
Beijing, Apr 6 (EFE).- French president Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said he could rely on China to help bring Russia to its senses and start negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
Macron delivered his remarks during a joint press conference with China’s president Xi Jinping in Beijing.
“I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and to get everyone to the negotiating table,” the visiting French head of state said.
“Russia’s aggression put an end to decades of peace in Europe,” he added.
Macron said that peace in Ukraine should benefit the victim of the aggression, which is the Ukrainian people.
A stable security situation in Europe was not possible while parts of the continent were under occupation, he added.
He said Beijing and Paris both wanted to protect international rights, adding that the condition for peace in Ukraine would have to respect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Following conversations with Macron, Xi said China was in favor of peace and joined France in urging the international community to preserve reason and avoid actions that would worsen the “crisis.”
“China hopes for a political and negotiated solution,” Xi added, urging both warring parties to avoid attacks on civilians.
Xi also noted the impact of the war in Ukraine on developing countries and called for the “legitimate concerns of all parties” to be addressed.
“China believes Europe should play an independent role in a multipolar world. We call for cooperation to respond to these crises in areas like energy and food,” he added.
China recently issued a manifesto calling for a political solution to the war in Ukraine. The proposal was widely rejected in the West amid accusations it unfairly placed the aggressor and the victim on a level playing field.
Xi traveled to Russia late last month to meet with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin, whose administration has welcomed China’s peace proposals, which reject international sanctions on Moscow while defending the territorial integrity of sovereign nations.
China’s leader has yet to hold conversations with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The French president landed in Beijing on Wednesday. He was scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Xi, and a three-way meeting that will also include European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
On Friday, Macron will travel to the southern city of Guangzhou, where he will interact with Chinese students from Sun Yat-Sen University and Chinese investors, before another meeting with Xi over dinner.EFE
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