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.