China’s Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to communicate with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who continues to refuse to condemn Russia for its invasion in February 2022, according to Ursula von der Leyen.
Concerning the Ukraine conflict, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged Xi Jinping to “bring Russia back to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table.”
The Chinese leader called for peace negotiations, but he did not indicate that Beijing would leverage its position as President Vladimir Putin’s diplomatic partner to press for a resolution.
Macron was in Beijing with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who expects China to advocate a just peace that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Ms. Von der Leyen reported, following a meeting between the three, that President Xi expressed his willingness to communicate with Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy, despite his refusal to condemn Russia for its invasion in February 2022.
She stated that it was interesting to hear that President Xi reaffirmed his willingness to communicate with Mr. Zelenskyy. She added that President Xi stated that a conversation could occur when “the conditions and time are right.”
After the discussions, the Chinese premier made no mention of a prospective conversation with Mr. Zelenskyy.
And Mr. Xi did not indicate that China’s position had changed since its February call for peace talks.
Mr. Xi said on Thursday that peace talks must resume as quickly as possible. And he urged other governments to avoid actions that could “make the crisis worsen or even spiral out of control.”
The Ukrainian president has repeatedly requested a meeting with Mr. Xi, including last month after he visited Mr. Putin in Moscow.
President Xi has endeavored to position China as a potential mediator in the conflict, but the West perceives him to favor Russia.
The Chinese leader expressed his hope that Moscow and Kyiv would initiate peace talks as soon as feasible.
Mr. Macron stated that the West must engage with China to help end the conflict and prevent “escalating tensions.”
“The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to (international) stability,” he told President Xi as they began their 90-minute bilateral meeting outside the Great Hall of the People.
“I know I can count on you to restore Russia’s sanity and return all parties to the negotiating table.”
China has proposed a 12-point peace plan for the Ukraine crisis, which calls for a progressive de-escalation leading to a ceasefire.
As a result of Mr. Xi’s refusal to criticize Mr. Putin’s actions, the West has largely disregarded the plan.
It is believed that Mr. Macron also urged President Xi to refrain from supplying Russia with weapons, to which the Chinese leader replied that it was not his conflict.
China has denied claims by the United States and NATO that it is contemplating sending arms to Russia.
Mr. Macron also requested that Mr. Xi press Russia to comply with international non-proliferation regulations.
The visit of European leaders to China follows years of deteriorating relations with Beijing over issues such as allegations of human rights violations against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, a stalled investment accord, and China’s reluctance to condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.
