France’s Macron says he will visit China in April
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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky attends a news conference on the first anniversary of Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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KYIV - French President Emmanuel Macron said on Saturday he will visit China in early April, in part to seek Chinese help with ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China called for a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine on Friday and has put forward a 12-point peace plan.
“The fact that China engages in peace efforts is a good thing,” Mr Macron told reporters at an agricultural fair in Paris.
“China must help us put pressure on Russia so that it never uses chemical or nuclear weapons, (an effort) which China has already made, and that it stops its aggression as a precondition for talks,” he added.
On Friday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed some elements of the Chinese proposal
“It’s an important signal that they are preparing to take part in this theme,” he said during a news conference in Kyiv, referring to China’s bid to broker peace.
“So far, I see this as a signal – I don’t know what will happen later.”
Mr Zelensky, who said he believed Russia-allied China did not offer a concrete plan but some “thoughts”, also warned Beijing against providing Moscow with arms.
“I very much want to believe that China will not deliver weapons to Russia, and for me this is very important,” he said, speaking on the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
“This is point number one.”
The Ukrainian leader also said that any plan that did not include a full Russian troop withdrawal would be unacceptable to Kyiv.
He added that he planned to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping but did not say when such a meeting might take place.
“I plan to meet Xi Jinping and believe this will be beneficial for our countries and for security in the world,” Mr Zelensky said.
He had earlier reiterated that he would not hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The West reacted with scepticism to China’s proposal on Friday for a ceasefire, with Nato saying Beijing did not have much credibility as a mediator. REUTERS
