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Xi Jinping is in Europe for the first time in five years.
The war in Ukraine was a central topic when China’s powerful leader met French President Emmanuel Macron and EU President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday.
– We are at a tipping point in history, Macron said ahead of the meeting with the Chinese president.
President Emmanuel Macron.
Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Macron: China promises not to send weapons to Russia
After the meeting, a relieved Macron meets the media, writes AFP.
Macron claims that Xi has promised not to send weapons to Ukraine.
– We value the Chinese authorities’ commitments not to sell weapons to Russia, Macron says.
The French president says that China’s leader has also promised to stop the supply of what are called multi-use goods to the Russians, namely “civilian strategic goods” and related technology.
At the same time, Macron said he is troubled by reports that Chinese companies have supplied military equipment to Russia.
The French president pointed to challenges in the relationship between Europe and China, writes Associated Press.
– The future will clearly depend on us being able to maintain a balanced relationship with China, Macron said.
– We must be able to solve the challenges we face.
Expect Xi to pressure Putin
The French president will use the visit in an attempt to influence China’s leader to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. But previous attempts to do so have not succeeded, writes .
But Macron achieved something after he visited Beijing last year, writes the news agency.
Xi Jinping og Ursula von der Leyen.
Photo: LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP
Shortly after Macron left China, Xi called Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy directly for the first time.
Western leaders have been anxious about China giving Russia military and political support in the war against Ukraine.
Shortly before the full-scale invasion on 24 February just over two years ago, China and Russia entered into a political partnership.
After the meeting, in which EU President Ursula von der Leyen also participated, she also emphasized China’s responsibility.
Ursula von der Leyen said the EU expects China to use all its influence over Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine.
Xi tries to reassure
On Monday, Xi is trying to reassure Western leaders.
China’s leader said that it was not China that created the crisis in Ukraine. Xi said China is not a party to the conflict.
Xi said China is working hard to facilitate peace talks on Ukraine, according to Chinese state media, writes.
Xi Jinping i Paris.
Photo: Christophe Ena / AP
China insists that the country is neutral in the Ukraine conflict. But trade between China and Russia has increased sharply since Putin invaded Ukraine.
Ursula von der Leyen acknowledges that the EU’s relationship with China is complicated.
– It is one of the most complex, but also one of the most important, said the head of the European Commission.
For his part, Xi stressed that China and Europe “should continue to be partners” and focus on “strategic coordination”.
The presidents and first ladies on a walk at the Elysee Palace.
Photo: Yoan Valat / AP
Analysts believe that China fears sanctions from Western countries if the Chinese support Russia more actively than they already do.
China is highly dependent on exports to Western countries and does not want to damage trade policy by openly supporting Russia militarily.
Later this week, Xi will visit Serbia and Hungary, which are considered two of the countries in the EU most friendly to Russia.
– The Foreign Legion not in Ukraine
At the same time that China’s leader is trying to reassure the presidents of France and the EU, France is trying to reassure China and others with close ties to Russia.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris has sent out a message that the French Foreign Legion is not on the ground in Ukraine.
– The reports are a Russian disinformation campaign, says the French Foreign Ministry.
– No, France has not sent soldiers to Ukraine, says the message from the foreign service, writes .
Last winter, there was a furor in a number of capitals when Macron suggested that individual countries should consider sending soldiers to Ukraine.
NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg was quick to clarify that no soldiers will be sent to Ukraine under the auspices of NATO.
Published 06.05.2024, at 20.52
