France and the European Commission made it clear to China’s President Xi Jinping during his visit to Paris that they expected him to leverage his influence on Russia to end the war in Ukraine, emphasizing that the European Union is unwavering in its support for Kyiv. President Emmanuel Macron hosted Xi Jinping for his first visit to Europe in five years, discussing issues ranging from trade to Ukraine with Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in an effort to present a unified front. China has bolstered its trade and military relationships with Russia as the U.S. and its allies imposed sanctions on both countries, particularly Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
According to Chinese customs data, trade between China and Russia reached a record $240.1 billion in 2023, with Chinese exports to Russia increasing by 46.9% and imports from Russia rising by 13%. Western powers have expressed concerns that China could potentially provide weapons to Russia and circumvent existing sanctions on materials with civilian and military applications. Von der Leyen stressed the importance of China using its influence to persuade Russia to cease its aggressive actions in Ukraine during a trilateral meeting in Paris, echoing Macron’s sentiment that cooperation with China on the Ukrainian issue is essential.
As fighting intensifies on Ukraine’s eastern front, Kyiv’s troops are eagerly awaiting crucial military aid from the U.S. and Europe to repel the advancing Russian forces. Despite the challenges faced by Ukraine, European leaders made it clear to Xi Jinping that they are committed to continuing their support for Kyiv and that the conflict is likely to persist, with Western powers unwilling to abandon Ukraine. Western nations have been striving to dissuade China from providing military assistance to Russia for over a year as part of their diplomatic efforts.
Xi Jinping reassured the European leaders that China has no intention of supplying weapons to Russia and is willing to address the issue of dual-usage materials that aid Russia’s war efforts. China has expressed a desire for an early ceasefire, the restoration of peace in Europe, and the prevention of further escalation. Xi Jinping stated that China did not contribute to the crisis in Ukraine nor is it actively involved in the conflict, emphasizing China’s efforts to facilitate peace talks. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China later in May, marking his first overseas trip of his new presidential term and potentially signaling further developments in the relationships between China, Russia, and the West.
