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.