'We are counting on China': Macron to ask Xi Jinping to push Russia toward ceasefire
Emmanuel Macron, President of France (photo: Getty Images)
On Wednesday, December 3, French President Emmanuel Macron will ask Xi Jinping to influence Russia to achieve a ceasefire in Ukraine during his visit to China, according to a statement by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, cited by BFM.
Macron will arrive in Beijing on Wednesday and remain there until Friday. This will be his fourth official visit to China during his presidency.
During the visit, the French president intends to ask the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, to influence Russia. In this way, Macron aims to secure a ceasefire in Ukraine and to improve trade relations between China and the EU.
"We are counting on China, which, like us, is a permanent member of the Security Council (...), to influence Russia so that Russia, and particularly Vladimir Putin, finally agrees to a ceasefire," Barrot emphasized.
Macron's meeting with Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is visiting Paris today, December 1. At the Élysée Palace, he will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Barrot noted that today's visit by the Ukrainian leader to Paris is not accidental. He also stressed that peace negotiations on Ukraine cannot take place without European participation.
In addition, the French foreign minister stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin will have to agree to a ceasefire. Otherwise, new sanctions will be imposed on Russia.
The French foreign minister said the European Council could decide on frozen Russian assets as early as December 18. At the same time, he acknowledged that Europeans remain divided on the issue.
