Xi has repeatedly called Putin his best friend. He also repeatedly refused to do anything to stop Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine and provided Russia with dual-use military technologies, weapons-making components and satellite images, warn the United States.
In a recent interview with POLITICO, US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith highlighted Beijing’s support for Moscow, saying China could no longer proclaim its neutrality in the conflict. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also described Chinese aid as “(helping) Moscow inflict more death and destruction on Ukraine.”
Talk, don’t talk
In Paris, Macron will provide Xi with his “analysis of the evolution of the conflict and (will) transmit to him the Ukrainian positions,” declared the same Elysée official. The French president “will also raise concerns about the activities of certain Chinese companies that could be directly involved or contribute significantly to the Russian war effort.”
There is plenty of room for the two leaders to talk.
“There will be a gap between expectations,” said Abigaël Vasselier, head of foreign relations at MERICS, a think tank, and a former European diplomat working on China policy. “The Chinese are going to France to try to see how they can undermine the European intention to move forward with the investigations (on electric vehicles). (But) for France, it will come second, after the war in Ukraine.”
During his visit to China last year, Xi invited Macron to his father’s home in Guangdong province. This week, Macron will try to exert the charm by taking Xi to his childhood vacation spot in the Pyrenees.
Politico
