Ukraine: Xi sees Macron and Von der Leyen and says he is ready to call Zelensky

Chinese mission of French President Macron and the president of the EU commission von der Leyen

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To the two European leaders, the Chinese president Xi Jinping shows willingness to call the Ukrainian president Zelensky, Ma mosca in the meantime reiterates that for now there are no prospects for a peaceful solution. 

The meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his European counterparts, French President Emmanuel Macron and the President of the EU Commission Ursula von der Leyen has kicked off in the Great Hall of the People: this was reported by the state network CCTV.

Previously, Xi had bilaterals with both Macron and von der Leyen.

The French president, in the first stages of the bilateral open to the media, told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to "count" on him to "bring Russia back to reason".

Macron and the Chinese leader have called for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine "as soon as possible".

And they said they were against the use of nuclear weapons in Ukraine.

On the Ukrainian crisis, China insists "on promoting peace talks and a political solution"

, expressing its willingness to collaborate with France to invite the international community to "maintain rational moderation and avoid taking actions" that could aggravate the crisis or "get it out of control".

According to Xi Jinping, "we must strictly respect international humanitarian law, refrain from attacking civilians and civilian structures and protect women, children and other victims of conflicts".

Xi, in particular, urged "to seriously implement the solemn pledge not to use nuclear weapons and not to fight nuclear wars."

Furthermore, opposition "to the use of biological and chemical weapons in any circumstance", added the Chinese president when meeting the press with his counterpart Emmanuel Macron, as well as "to armed attacks on nuclear power plants and other civilian nuclear facilities" .

Xi also spoke of cooperation "to address the spillover effects of the Ukrainian crisis in food, energy, finance, transportation and other fields", in order to "reduce the negative impact of the Ukrainian crisis on the world, especially on Developing countries".

The French president, for his part, urged his Chinese counterpart

, said a French diplomatic source who attended the meeting between the two presidents.

Arms shipments from China to Russia, warned Ursula von der Leyen, "would significantly harm" relations between Brussels and Beijing, because "assisting an aggressor would be contrary to international law".

China, she added, has a responsibility to use her influence against Russia and the EU is "counting" on him to do so.

Moreover, during the meetings they had in Beijing, Chinese President Xi told French President Macron that he was ready to call Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky at the right moment.

And the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, stressed that she had encouraged President Xi Jinping to contact President Zelensky.

"It was interesting to hear - said the number one of the EU Commission - that President Xi reiterated his willingness to talk (with him) when the times and conditions are the most appropriate". 

Moscow's reaction

"China has a very effective and impressive mediation potential, and Beijing's recent diplomatic successes have eloquently demonstrated this.

, for now there are no prospects for a solution peace,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, commenting on recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron that Beijing's efforts could help resolve the Ukrainian crisis peacefully.