Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his support for a global truce during the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, according to a report by Le Monde. This announcement came during Xi’s visit to France as part of his European tour, marking his first visit to the EU in five years. The timing of Xi’s visit is crucial as tensions between Beijing and European countries have increased due to China’s support for Russia during the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron had previously expressed his hopes for China’s support of the Olympic truce, a tradition that ensures the safe passage of athletes to and from the Games. Macron welcomed Xi’s willingness to appeal to all concerned parties to establish an Olympic truce, which he sees as an opportunity to work towards a long-term solution in compliance with international law.
During a meeting with Macron and Xi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for more effort to curtail the delivery of dual-use goods to Russia that are being used on the battlefield in Ukraine. She called on China to use its influence on Russia to end the war of aggression against Ukraine. Xi, on the other hand, expressed his support for a peace conference on Ukraine’s behalf, recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation of all parties. The peace summit is scheduled to take place on June 15-16 in Switzerland, inviting 160 national delegations to the talks. Notably, Russia, the aggressor in the conflict, will not be invited at this stage. China has been invited to participate in talks on Ukraine’s 10-point peace formula and is considering its involvement. This formula includes the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukrainian territory, the restoration of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, the release of prisoners of war, and preventing ecocide in Ukraine.
In an effort to play a constructive role in ending the war in Ukraine, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly told French media outlet Le Figaro that China is willing to work with France and the international community. China’s stance on the conflict in Ukraine has been closely watched as Beijing has maintained close ties with Moscow during the war, resisting Western attempts to isolate Russia. The U.S. has also warned its allies about China’s increasing support for Russia through various means, including geospatial intelligence and missile propellants. The support of key global players like China is crucial in finding a peaceful and sustainable solution to the conflict in Ukraine. Xi’s willingness to collaborate on establishing an Olympic truce and participating in peace talks indicates a possible shift in China’s approach towards the crisis.
As part of his discussions with Macron and other European leaders, Xi Jinping expressed China’s commitment to refraining from selling weapons to Moscow, a move that has been welcomed by the French president. The promise not to sell weapons to Russia is seen as a significant step in light of China’s close economic cooperation with Moscow during the conflict. Macron and Xi’s discussions focused on the importance of finding a long-term solution to the crisis in Ukraine while ensuring compliance with international law. Xi’s visit to Europe at this critical juncture highlights the need for global cooperation and dialogue to address complex international conflicts like the one in Ukraine. The support of key players like China in diplomatic efforts and peace initiatives can potentially lead to a sustainable resolution in the region.
