Macron urges Xi ‘to bring everyone around negotiating table’ over Russia-Ukraine war

By Nur Asena Erturk and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ANKARA / ISTANBUL (AA) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to play his role and “bring everyone around negotiating table” over the Russia-Ukraine war.

During his bilateral meeting with the Chinese president, Macron referred to a “strategic partnership” between the two countries and said it is also about “talking peace and stability in the world.”

“We are attached … and I know you are attached to the UN Charter, to respecting the nuclear documents that are in force, and to everything that ensures peace and stability on the planet,” Macron told Xi, according to French media, citing the country’s presidency.

“So, Russian aggression against Ukraine was a blow to this stability and put an end to decades of peace in Europe.

"I know, I can count on you for the two principles that I just evoked: bringing Russia to logic and everyone around the negotiations table,” Macron told the Chinese president.

Xi held a welcome ceremony for Macron at the China's Great Hall of the People in Beijing ahead of their bilateral talks.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, Xi told Macron that China and France have the "ability and responsibility to rise above differences and obstacles, keep to the overall direction of a comprehensive strategic partnership that is stable, mutually beneficial, enterprising and dynamic, and practice true multilateralism for global peace, stability and prosperity."

Ahead of a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Macron said Thursday that China has a “major role to play in building peace.”

“I am convinced that China has a major role to play in building peace,” said Marcon, who reached Beijing on Wednesday on a three-day state visit.

“This (building peace) is what I have come to discuss, to move forward on,” the French president added, apparently referring to the Russia-Ukraine war.

As permanent members of the UN Security Council, Macron told a joint news conference with Xi, "(we) must cooperate to preserve an international order capable of facing the current challenges."

"To speak of security and stability today is to speak of the war launched by Russia in Ukraine. A country that is also a permanent member of the (UN) Security Council has decided to violate the (UN) Charter and we cannot accept this situation, and that is why our diplomatic action will remind Russia of its duties," he added.

Macron also expressed his desire to rule out the use of nuclear weapons in the context of the Ukrainian war.

“With President XI Jinping, we will also talk about our businesses, the climate and biodiversity, and food security,” Macron said on Twitter.

Ahead of the Beijing flight, Macron spoke to his US counterpart Joe Biden on Tuesday.

The duo “confirmed their objective of convincing Xi to be a mediator between Russia and Ukraine.”

Also, in his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Macron pointed to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Macron stressed on the “importance of the dialogue between China and France in these troubled times."

The China-France trade volume has risen to over $74 billion last year.

Besides meetings with Xi, Li, and National People’s Congress Chairman Zhao Leji, Macron will also visit the city of Guangzhou in the southeast province of Guangdong.