Macron failed to force Xi Jinping to change China's position on Russia

As reported by Reuters, Macron stressed that the West must now interact with China to help put an end to the crisis in Europe and prevent the division of the world into warring blocs.

 "I know that you will bring Russia and all interested parties back to the negotiating table", - the French president told the Chinese president.

Earlier this year, China proposed its 12-point peace plan for the Ukraine crisis, in which it called on both sides to agree to a gradual de-escalation leading to a comprehensive ceasefire.

The peace initiative was immediately rejected by the West because of China's refusal to condemn Russia. The United States and NATO at the same time said that Beijing was considering sending weapons to Russia, which Beijing denies. The French president also failed this time to force the Chinese president to change his neutral position on the conflict in Ukraine.

In a conversation with Macron, Xi Jinping also said that all states must comply with their obligations not to use nuclear weapons and "nuclear war should not be waged," without mentioning Russia. He called on the international community to "refrain from any actions that could lead to further aggravation of the crisis or even to its getting out of control."

Officially, France said that the discussions between the leaders of the two countries and the EU were "frank and constructive," while China called them "friendly" and "deep." Although on the eve it became known that the Chinese did not like the statement of the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, made by her before flying to Beijing. In particular, she warned the leadership of the Celestial Empire not to side with Moscow in establishing a "compromised peace in Ukraine".

As Politico reported, the head of the EC spoke with particular irritation about personal friendly relations between Putin and Xi, who recently met in Moscow.

Relations between the EU and China in the future will depend on how China continues to interact with Putin, von der Leyen warned.

Nevertheless, the Chinese leader did not reproach Brussels with a word. Moreover, in comments published by state media, Xi said that China is ready to work with the European Union and will "resume political exchanges" at all levels.

Addressing the journalists accompanying him, Emmanuel Macron unexpectedly said that Europe should resist the reduction of trade and diplomatic relations with China and reject what some call the "inevitable spiral" of tension between China and the West. At the same time, he did not name the addresses of specific opponents of establishing a dialogue between France and China.