Media: Macron set to visit China in bid to mediate Ukraine ceasefire

French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit China in the new year, as diplomatic efforts intensify around Beijing’s potential role in mediating an end to the Ukraine conflict.

The planned visit comes as speculation grows over whether China could leverage its influence with Russia to facilitate a ceasefire in Ukraine, Caliber.Az reports via South China Morning Post.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that Macron’s close diplomatic adviser, Emmanuel Bonne, has already travelled to Beijing this week with a team of aides to prepare for the French leader’s trip. Bonne’s visit, strategically timed around Macron’s return from Poland, appears to be part of a broader effort to engage China in peace talks for Ukraine.

During his visit to Poland, Macron met with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to discuss a proposal to deploy European Union (EU) troops to Ukraine for monitoring a potential ceasefire.

The Wall Street Journal reported that during a meeting in Paris earlier this month, Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed the possibility of using China’s influence over Russia to help broker a ceasefire. Trump is said to have urged European leaders to apply more pressure on Beijing, potentially using tariffs as a bargaining tool to persuade China to push Russia to end the war.

The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, has prompted European leaders to seek China’s assistance in resolving the crisis. Despite this, China’s response has largely disappointed the West. Beijing has consistently proclaimed itself neutral in the conflict but has come under scrutiny for its growing economic ties with Russia, particularly in trade that has supported Russia’s military efforts.

In recent weeks, EU officials have voiced concerns over China’s rhetoric, which they argue often echoes Kremlin talking points. At a recent event in Brussels organized by the Chinese mission to the EU, European guests were angered when Chinese academics blamed NATO’s eastward expansion for the war in Ukraine. Further tensions have arisen after reports emerged that China is producing military-grade drones in its Xinjiang region, reportedly being supplied to Russian forces.

Despite these concerns, Trump has continued to advocate for China’s involvement in peace efforts. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his belief that an immediate ceasefire is necessary, stating that “too many lives are being needlessly wasted.” He also urged China to use its influence with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help end the war.

China, for its part, has long called for an immediate ceasefire and has advocated for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict. Beijing’s calls for peace have been met with scepticism in the West, given its close relationship with Moscow.

In September, China launched a “friends-for-peace” group in coordination with Brazil and other developing countries, aimed at promoting dialogue and peace in Ukraine. Several EU members, including Hungary and Slovakia, have shown interest in participating in the group.

Macron’s diplomatic manoeuvring comes at a time of domestic turmoil in France. The French government collapsed earlier this month after a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Michel Barnier, with both far-left and far-right parties calling for Macron’s resignation. Despite this, Macron has vowed to remain in office and is expected to name a new prime minister soon.

Throughout his presidency, Macron has maintained regular contact with Chinese President Xi Jinping, even in the face of strained EU-China relations. In May, Xi visited France during a period of tension over EU tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Macron’s efforts to engage China in peace talks reflect his broader strategy of positioning France as a key player on the world stage, despite growing domestic pressures.

By Aghakazim Guliyev