Ukraine: Macron and Biden want to ‘continue to engage’ with China to ‘end conflict’

During a telephone conversation, Emmanuel Macron and Joe Biden “agreed on the importance of continuing engagement” with China to help “end the conflict in the medium term” in Ukraine, the French president said on Thursday. They have “ reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal aggression.” Emmanuel Macon also reaffirmed his desire for Europeans to continue “re-arming themselves to take responsibility for sharing the burden of transatlantic security,” Elysée said in a press release.

Paris believes Beijing must play “its part” in finding a solution to Russia’s more than a year-long war in Ukraine over its alliance with Moscow. Emmanuel Macron said in Beijing that he expects his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to its senses.” At the end of that visit, in early April, the Elysee Palace was assured that Xi Jinping had declared his readiness to work with France “to create conditions for negotiations” between Moscow and Kiev.

“With respect to the sovereignty of Ukraine”

The “parameters” of this initiative are to be determined within the framework of a Franco-Chinese strategic dialogue, piloted on the one hand by Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic adviser Emmanuel Bonn, and on the other by high-ranking Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, whose next session is scheduled for the summer, reports Paris.

“The President of the Republic said that such negotiations should be conducted with respect for international law and the sovereignty of Ukraine. He said that only Ukrainians can decide. He called on China to play a constructive role, especially given its status as a permanent member of the Security Council,” the Élysée reminded this week.

Resolve differences

The call provided an opportunity for Washington and Paris to iron out differences that arose after Emmanuel Macron’s trip to Beijing. The French president caused a wave of misunderstanding when he said that Europe should not automatically join the United States or Beijing in the event of a conflict over Taiwan.

“The two presidents are united by their desire to strengthen ongoing cooperation and uphold international law, including freedom of navigation, throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” the Elysee Palace said, without directly quoting Taiwan.

According to a French press release, Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron “also discussed the highly worrying situation in Sudan.”