Ursula von der Leyen said China's Xi Jinping expressed his willingness to speak to Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as he continues to refuse to condemn Russia for its February 2022 invasion.
President Xi has sought to position China as a potential mediator in the conflict but is seen by the West as favouring Russia.Meanwhile,said the West must engage with China to help end the war and prevent"spiralling tensions".
"The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to stability," he told President Xi as they stood outside the Great Hall of the People at the start of their 90-minute bilateral meeting."I know I can count on you to bring Russia back to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table."
China has proposed a 12-point peace plan for the Ukraine crisis that calls on both sides to agree to a gradual de-escalation leading to a ceasefire. But the plan has been largely dismissed by the West due to Mr Xi's refusal to criticise Mr Putin's actions.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Emmanuel Macron to urge China’s Xi Jinping to drop support for Russia over Ukraine war\n\t\t\tGet local insights from Lisbon to Moscow with an unrivalled network of journalists across Europe,\n\t\t\texpert analysis, our dedicated ‘Brussels Briefing’ newsletter. Customise your myFT page to track\n\t\t\tthe countries of your choice.\n\t\t
Read more »
Emmanuel Macron urges Xi Jinping to bring Russia to negotiating table over UkraineThe French president is in Beijing to try to persuade Xi Jinping to lobby the Russian government to end its military invasion of Ukraine.
Read more »
Ukraine war - latest: Russia's 'alarming' nuclear rhetoric breaks agreement with ChinaRussia's nuclear rhetoric breaks its new agreement with China, writes Diana Magnay - as Volodymyr Zelenskyy travels to Poland for talks on the war at a time when Ukrainian grain imports led a Polish minister to resign.
Read more »
China and France call for Russia-Ukraine peace talks 'as soon as possible'BREAKING: China and France call for Russia-Ukraine peace talks 'as soon as possible.'
Read more »
Macron counting on Xi to 'bring Russia to senses'French President Emmanuel Macron counting on Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to 'bring Russia to senses'
Read more »
Xi Jinping warns against escalating Ukraine crisis as he meets Macron\n\t\t\tGet local insights from Lisbon to Moscow with an unrivalled network of journalists across Europe,\n\t\t\texpert analysis, our dedicated ‘Brussels Briefing’ newsletter. Customise your myFT page to track\n\t\t\tthe countries of your choice.\n\t\t
Read more »