Macron seeks China's help on Ukraine, Xi 'willing' to call Zelenskiy

Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed willingness to speak to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the head of the E.U. said on Thursday, after French President Emmanuel Macron urged Beijing to talk sense to Russia over the war in Ukraine.

In closely watched talks, European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and Macron met with Xi in Beijing. Macron said the West must engage China to help end the crisis and prevent “spiraling” tensions that could split global powers into warring blocs.

Xi, who has sought to position China as a potential mediator in the conflict but has been seen by the West as favoring Russia, responded by saying he hoped Moscow and Kyiv could hold peace negotiations as soon as possible.

“It was interesting to hear that President Xi reiterated his willingness to speak” to Zelenskyy, von der Leyen said. Xi said a conversation could happen when the “conditions and time are right,” she added.