France and the European Commission told Chinese President Xi Jingping on Monday (6) that they wanted him to use his influence over Russia to end the war in Ukraine, while stressing that the European Union would not would waver in its support for Kiev.
President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the Chinese leader on his first visit to Europe in five years and attended meetings with him and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Paris as they sought to show a united front on issues ranging from trade to Ukraine.
China has strengthened trade and military ties with Russia in recent years as the US and its allies have imposed sanctions on both countries, especially Moscow, since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
China-Russia trade reached a record $240.1 billion in 2023, up 26.3% from the previous year, Chinese customs data shows. Chinese shipments to Russia increased by 46.9% in 2023, while imports from Russia increased by 13%.
Beyond financial ties, Western powers have been especially concerned about the possibility of Beijing supplying weapons to Moscow and circumventing existing sanctions on materials that can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
“We count on China to use all its influence over Russia to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,” von der Leyen told journalists after a trilateral meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
Macron said coordination with China over Ukraine was “absolutely decisive.”
Fighting on Ukraine's eastern front has worsened in recent weeks as Kiev's troops await crucial military aid from the US and Europe to contain the Russian advance.
The two European leaders were keen to stress to Xi that despite Ukraine's current difficulties, they were determined to continue supporting it, and that Beijing needed to realize that the conflict would likely extend as Western powers are not ready to abandon Kiev, diplomatic sources said.
Western powers have been trying for more than a year to convince China not to provide military support to Russia.
The diplomatic sources said Xi made clear that Beijing did not intend to supply arms to Moscow and that it was ready to look into the issue of dual-use materials that enabled Russia's war effort.
They said they would now have to see if the commitments would turn into action. The EU is currently discussing possible sanctions against some Chinese companies.
Xi was quoted by Chinese state media as saying that all parties want to see a quick ceasefire, the return of peace in Europe and avoid any further escalation.
“China did not create the crisis in Ukraine, nor is it part of it,” Xi said, according to state media. “All along, China has been working vigorously to facilitate peace talks.”
Russian President Vladmir Putin is expected to travel to China at the end of May, in what could be his first trip abroad of his new presidential term.
Source: CNN Brasil
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