On Tuesday, May 10, telephone conversations were held between French President Emmanuel Macron and President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping. A significant part of the talks was devoted to Ukraine. According to the Elysee Palace, the leaders of France and China "reaffirmed their commitment to respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and agreed on the urgency of achieving a ceasefire. All efforts aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian population must also be supported.”
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Xi and Macron "exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine and agreed that the respective parties should support Russia and Ukraine in restoring peace through negotiations."
Xi Jinping stressed that China always promotes independent peace talks between the parties, and supports European countries to keep Europe's security in their own hands.
He called for vigilance against bloc confrontation, which is a more serious and persistent threat to global security and stability.
In turn, E. Macron noted the broad consensus between France and China on the issue of Ukraine, adding that the French side is ready for closer coordination and cooperation with China both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.
France and the EU are committed to strategic autonomy and will not endorse or take part in bloc confrontations, he said.
Read also:
CFR: Ukraine crisis could set Iran nuclear deal back
Ukraine and the new world economic crisis: a view from the USA