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Macron's Efforts to Persuade Beijing to Pressure Russia Over Ukraine War Meet Skepticism and Resistance

  • French President Emmanuel Macron failed to convince China to condemn Russia for invading Ukraine during a visit to Beijing this week.
  • European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned China that its position on Ukraine would determine future relations with the EU, but China claimed neutrality in the conflict.
  • Xi Jinping expressed willingness to speak with the Ukrainian president but showed no signs that China would pressure Russia to negotiate an end to the war.
  • The Kremlin followed the talks closely but said China was unlikely to change its stance, while Macron's advisers suggested offering China a deal to resist US pressure on trade in exchange for help ending the war.
  • Disagreements over the Ukraine conflict have revealed differences in the US and European approach to China even as they work to counter China's global influence.
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