France on Wednesday asked China to make clear to Russia that Moscow is in an “impasse” in its war with Ukraine, as Beijing seeks to mediate in the conflict.
Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna told a cabinet meeting that Beijing should urge Russia to “return to peace”, according to a post-cabinet press briefing.
“It is necessary for China to use its relations with Russia to make Russia understand better that it is at an impasse, and to tell Russia to come back to its senses,” she said.
The request comes after French President Emmanuel Macron visited China last month and sparked controversy by saying that Europe should not be a “follower” of either Washington or Beijing or get caught up in any escalation over the future of Taiwan.
The remarks sparked much comment, including from German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius who called them “unfortunate”, adding: “We have never been in danger of becoming or being a vassal of the United States.”
Beijing announced on Monday that Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang would visit Germany, France and Norway this week, as China seeks a mediator role in the Ukraine conflict.
China has sought to portray itself as a neutral party in Russia’s war with its neighbour, with President Xi Jinping last month holding his first call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky since Moscow’s invasion.
But recent comments by China’s ambassador to France questioning the sovereignty of ex-Soviet states threw its neutral stance into question, and Beijing’s 12-point position paper on ending the conflict was met with scepticism by the United States and NATO.
UK Estimates Russian War Casualties at 450,000
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Comments (2)
Well said Hugh!!
French talk a good job but look where they sit in a league table of actual military aid delivered to Ukraine?...Poland ,Baltics, Slovakia etc shame them!!
Backstabbing Macron admits Putins lied to him ahead of the 24.2.22 full scale invasion yet still grovels around him ?...anything to keep frenxh businesses operating in Russia and circumventing real sanctions ?
China is NOT "neutral". Do not forget its "No Limits" partnership with Russia at the Olympics that tacitly gave Putin the green light to invade!
Meanwhile France repeatedly emphasizes talks talks talks, while doing very little action. Just like it did in the Bosnian-Serbian war.
Given the size of its military & economy one must wonder what France believes in: Great powers of yesterday? Or defending Ukraine today?
France is NOT truly helping Ukraine. France is NOT truly helping a united Europe emerge as its own security power. France is NOT helping defend Democracy against Totalitarianism.
Instead it appears to be living in its own dream world of yesterday, pretending to be a great power, holding on to a mirage of affecting things with empty words...while doing little real action.
France is showing that the power of the EU & NATO are both shifting towards Central Europe. Actions speak louder than words. If you want to participate France, then participate by defending Ukraine & defending Democracy.
Stop doing backdoor deals with Dictators & Tyrants
(so that you can sell more handbags).
Faite plus la France. Rappelles vous que ni Putine, ni Xi, supportent Liberte, Égalité, Fraternité.