French President Emmanuel Macron urged China's Xi Jinping on Thursday to reason with close ally Russia and help end the Ukraine war, while Xi responded by saying he hoped the two sides could hold peace negotiations as soon as possible.
In closely-watched talks in Beijing, which also involve EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, Macron said the West must engage Beijing to help end the crisis and prevent 'spiralling' tensions that could split global powers into warring blocs.
"The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to (international) stability," Macron told Xi, standing alongside the Chinese president outside the Great Hall of the People at the start of their meeting.
"I know I can count on you to bring back Russia to reason and everyone back to the negotiating table."
In comments after his meeting with Macron, Xi called for talks between the two sides and a political solution to the Ukraine war.
The talks were "frank and constructive," the Elysee Palace said, while Beijing said the discussions were "friendly" and "in-depth".
Macron also asked Xi to press Russia to comply with international rules on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will station tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine's neighbour Belarus, a move seen as a dangerous escalation in the bloody year-long conflict.
Xi said all countries should respect nuclear non-proliferation, without mentioning Russia.
The EU leaders' visit to China comes after years of souring relations with Beijing over issues including accusations of rights abuse in Xinjiang, a stalled investment pact and China's reluctance to condemn Russia over its Ukraine invasion.
But addressing the press after his arrival on Wednesday, Macron said Europe must resist reducing trade and diplomatic ties with China and reject what some have cast as an "inescapable spiral" of tension between China and the West.
Read more at: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/epaper/delhicapital/2023/apr/07/et-oped/macron-urges-xi-to-bring-putin-back-to-reason-over-ukraine/articleshow/99306508.cms