Xi tells Russia’s Medvedev that China wants talks on Ukraine

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping told former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday that his nation would like to see talks on Ukraine, comments that come as Beijing tries to improve ties with Europe.

Mr Xi told Mr Medvedev in Beijing that his administration has been “actively promoting peace and talks”, state broadcaster China Central Television said.

It quoted Mr Xi as saying: “China hopes relevant parties can stay rational and restrained, conduct comprehensive talks, and resolve mutual concerns on security via political methods.”

Beijing still wants to work with Russia to develop ties, he added.

Mr Medvedev posted a video on social media of his meeting with Mr Xi.

Mr Medvedev, who is now deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, said after the meeting that he and Mr Xi discussed Russia and China’s “strategic partnership”, cooperation between the two countries and

the conflict in Ukraine.

China has avoided criticising Russia over the war in Ukraine, blaming the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) for Moscow’s actions.

Beijing did sign off on a communique at the Group of 20 (G-20) summit in Indonesia in November that said “most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine”, but continues to refrain from calling it a war.

Since a congress of the ruling Communist Party in October, Mr Xi has been working to prevent already strained relations with the European Union from worsening.

Last year, the EU halted an investment agreement with China after both sides traded sanctions over Xinjiang, where the US has accused Beijing of genocide. China denies those allegations.

In November, Mr Xi told German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that he opposed the use of nuclear force in Europe, underscoring Beijing’s desire to keep Russia’s war in Ukraine from escalating.

This month, he used talks with visiting European Council President Charles Michel to call for efforts to resolve the crisis. BLOOMBERG, REUTERS