French President Emmanuel Macron concluded a three-day visit to Beijing on Saturday, seeking Chinese assistance in ending the war in Ukraine. Macron’s trip, which followed a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier in the week, focused on urging President Xi Jinping to pressure Moscow toward a ceasefire, despite repeated Russian statements insisting they will accept no agreement that undermines their battlefield gains.
Speaking after the talks, Macron called on Xi to “convince and influence Russia to move toward a ceasefire as quickly as possible,” while also insisting on long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. He also floated proposals aimed at protecting Ukrainian infrastructure, including a moratorium on Russian strikes against energy facilities or, at minimum, advance warnings before attacks.
While Xi reiterated that China will “continue to play a constructive role” and support dialogue toward a “balanced and sustainable security framework,” Beijing has shown no indication it will attempt to pressure Moscow on behalf of Western governments. China has sought to position itself as a neutral mediator, while strengthening strategic cooperation with Russia economically and militarily.
Macron’s visit comes at a moment of growing tension between Europe and Washington over the direction of negotiations. The United States has increasingly sidelined European governments in peace efforts, with the Trump administration recently publishing a National Defense Strategy that criticized Europe for trying to keep the U.S. deeply involved in the war. The report alarmed officials in both Brussels and Kiev, who fear Washington’s urgency to exit the conflict could leave Ukraine with unfavorable outcomes.
Meanwhile, China has pushed back more forcefully against accusations from European leaders that Beijing is supplying weapons to Russia. During a meeting earlier this year, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi responded sharply when EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas pressed him on the issue, warning that if China truly armed Russia, “the war would be over in a week,” while accusing the West of trying to destroy Russia before turning to China next.