Macron asks for Xi’s mediation with Putin on Ukraine

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“Xi, for his part, expressed his “support for European mediation efforts,” according to a statement from the French presidency.

The French president Emmanuel Macron he asked his Chinese counterpart today Xi Jinping to interfere with the Russian leader Vladimir Putin in order to convince him to stop the “escalation” in Ukraine and return to the “negotiating table”, announced the Élysée.

“The President of the Republic has asked China to help convey messages to President Putin in order to avoid escalation and seriously return to the negotiating table,” the French presidency’s services said.

Mr. Xi, for his part, expressed his “support for European mediation efforts,” especially those of the French president, and “reiterated his firm opposition to the use of nuclear weapons” by Russia on Ukrainian soil, according to the Elysee. .

“He also reaffirmed his support for de-escalation, the declaration of a ceasefire and his will to end this conflict,” added the French presidency.

In Paris’s view, “the lines are starting to move” on China as Beijing seeks “balance” on the war in Ukraine.

“Xi Jinping has made it clear that this complicated situation must be dealt with urgently,” an adviser to the French president said.

At the same time, the two leaders expressed their will to “move forward” on many issues of bilateral interest, ranging from the agri-food sector to the aeronautical industry, according to the same source.

Mr Macron would like to visit China in early 2023, if epidemiological conditions permit, given Beijing’s “zero COVID” policy, the Elysee said.

As the two leaders met in Bali on the sidelines of the G20, Mr Macron called on Mr Xi for the two countries to “join forces” against the war in Ukraine, stressing that global “stability” is also to the “interest” of China.

China has avoided condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that began on February 24, and remains reluctant, like many countries in the so-called global South, including Indonesia, to criticize Moscow.

RES-EMP

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