Intervention from Merz comes as Putin says peace talks are ‘difficult work’ but Trump insists Russian president does want a deal
Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Beijing is a three day balancing act between national and European interests and between engagement with Chinese business and safeguarding its economy.
China has never condemned Russia for its 2022 invasion of Ukraine and it is unlikely this will happen now. But French diplomats have said that Macron would be urging Beijing to “convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as soon as possible”.
“Now, more than ever, dialogue between China and France is vital,” Macron told his host during their Thursday meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People. “I propose a positive threefold agenda for our relations, one of geopolitical stability, of economic rebalancing, and of environmental sustainability.”
