French President Emmanuel Macron has renewed his call for China to play a more influential role in ending the war in Ukraine, using a high-level diplomatic exchange with Chinese President Xi Jinping to stress the global stakes of the conflict. The appeal underscores France’s belief that Beijing — one of Moscow’s few powerful partners — holds meaningful leverage that could help steer Russia toward serious negotiations.
According to French officials, Macron emphasized that the conflict has dragged on far too long and continues to destabilize global markets, strain humanitarian systems, and erode international security. He urged Xi to use China’s longstanding relationship with Russia to encourage a shift toward de-escalation, warning that a prolonged war risks deepening geopolitical rifts that could last for years.
China has repeatedly positioned itself as a potential mediator, promoting what it calls a “balanced” approach to peace. However, Western governments remain skeptical, citing Beijing’s refusal to publicly condemn Russia’s invasion and its growing economic ties with Moscow. Still, Macron has argued that diplomatic engagement with China, rather than isolation or confrontation, is essential for any viable peace process.
The French president also highlighted the broader consequences of the conflict, including disruptions to global food supplies and the mounting humanitarian crisis. He reiterated that any path to peace must be based on respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and international law — principles he believes China should vocally support.
While Xi has signaled willingness to facilitate dialogue, Beijing continues to walk a careful line, seeking to maintain strong relations with both Moscow and key European partners. Analysts say Macron’s outreach reflects Europe’s increasing urgency to find new diplomatic avenues as the war shows little sign of ending.
For now, the impact of Macron’s renewed push remains uncertain. But France’s strategy is clear: engaging China may be one of the few remaining diplomatic levers capable of influencing the course of the conflict.
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