China’s Foreign Ministry says it does not know of the French peace plan, while the Kremlin Spokesperson told journalists that Moscow, likewise, does not possess details.
Resolving the war in Ukraine and brokering a deal between Russia and Ukraine may possibly enter the works if French President Emmanuel Macron’s attempt to have China mediate as early as this summer goes through successfully.
On Tuesday, citing anonymous sources knowledgeable with the plan, Bloomberg stated that Macron has assigned his foreign policy advisor Emmanuel Bonne to collaborate with China’s top diplomat Wang Yi to produce a ground plan sustainable for a negotiation.
However, per the outlet, it remains unknown if Ukraine or its allies have shown Macron support, since the allies and Ukraine have repeatedly rejected negotiations as long as Russian troops remain in territories Ukraine claims as its own.
Even Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky signed a law making it illegal to negotiate with Russia if Russian President Vladimir Putin remains in office.
China’s Foreign Ministry said it does not know of the French peace plan, while Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists that Moscow, likewise, does not possess details.
This follows after Macron paid a visit to China on April 5 and urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to “bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table” warning beforehand that “anyone helping the aggressor would be an accomplice in breach of international law.”
Afterward, Xi stressed that China is adamant about calling for peace negotiations and requested respect for the “reasonable security concerns” of both Russia and Ukraine.
Macron said China could play a major role in finding a “path to peace” in Ukraine. “China, with its close relationship with Russia, which has been reaffirmed in recent days, can play a major role,” he indicated.
The French leader also said France would engage “in this shared responsibility for peace and stability.”
Both Macron and EU’s Ursula von der Leyen have formerly said they want to persuade Beijing to use its influence over Moscow to bring peace to Ukraine.
Back in February, Macron and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi agreed that both countries share a common objective to push toward the end of the war in Ukraine, discussing the consequences of the war “on the most vulnerable countries, particularly in terms of food security and financing capacity,” added the statement.
Source: Almayadeen
