Xi Jinping on war between Russia and Ukraine: “China expects a political and negotiation solution”

the chinese president, Xi Jinpingtoday urged his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macronfor both countries to maintain a “reasonable” attitude aimed at “avoiding a worsening of the situation in Ukraine.”

“China expects a political and negotiation solution. We are ready to work together with France from a reasonable attitude and aimed at avoiding a worsening of the situation.” Xi said in a joint statement after meeting with Macron in Beijing.

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Xi added that he hopes the parties involved in the conflict refrain from launching “attacks against the civilian population”asked to “protect the victims” and expressed his opposition “to the use of chemical attacks or against nuclear facilities.”

The Chinese president also called for “mitigating the impact” of the war, especially in developing countries, and advocated addressing “the legitimate concerns of all parties.”

“China believes that Europe should play an independent role in a multipolar world. We appeal for cooperation to respond to these crises in fields such as energy or food”, added.

For his part, Macron told Xi that a peace in Ukraine “must respect the attacked people, which is the Ukrainian people” and warned that there cannot be a “stable security organization in Europe” while a country on the continent is occupied.

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Although the French president assured that both Beijing and Paris want to “protect international law,” he also noted that “respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” is the “condition for lasting peace.”

In addition, he stressed that he is counting on China to “make Russia see reason and bring the whole world to the negotiating table.” During his meeting with Macron on Monday, Xi assured that China and France have “the ability and responsibility to overcome differences and obstacles” and that they should practice “true multilateralism for world peace, stability and prosperity.”

Workers move tables after a signing session as French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping (right) wait to read their remarks to the press at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, 6 April. April 2023. (Photo: EFE/EPA/Ng Han Guan / POOL)

China recently issued a position paper in which it called for “a political solution” to the war in Ukraine, a proposal criticized by the West for putting “the aggressor and the victimized” on the same plane.

The Chinese president traveled to Moscow at the end of March to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in order to explain his proposals for peace while both staged the strength of their relationship.

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Russia welcomed China’s willingness to play what it sees as a positive role in seeking a solution to “the Ukrainian crisis” and the “constructive” peace initiative put forward by Beijing.

In its document, China, which opposes sanctions against Moscow, defends respect for the territorial integrity of countries, including Ukraine, and the “legitimate security concerns of all parties”, in reference to Russia.

There has also been speculation in recent weeks about the possibility of a phone call between Xi and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, which has not yet taken place.

Source: Elcomercio