The Russian invasion. The outside world's response

Chinese President Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron. Ng Han Guan / AP  

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Macron to Xi on the war in Ukraine: "We are counting on you"  

The Ukraine war is at the top of the conversation list when French President Emmanuel Macron meets China's ditto Xi Jinping today, writes AFP. 

- I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table, Macron told Xi during the meeting in Beijing.  

He also says that China can play "an important role" in finding a peaceful solution to the war and welcomes China's "willingness to commit to a solution". 

For his part, Xi highlighted the close relationship with France as the outside world goes through "profound historical changes". Macron's visit to China is the first since 2019 and comes as Western pressure mounts on Beijing to push for peace in Ukraine. 

Peskov/Macron and Xi. AP 

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Kremlin: China can't mediate – we have to keep fighting  

Russia currently sees no opportunity for China to mediate a political solution to the Ukraine war, AFP reports. 

- At the moment there is no way forward for us except to continue the special military operation, says Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.  

Although China has good potential as a mediator, the Ukraine situation is too complex to be resolved that way, Peskov claims.  

The comment is a response to French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing today.  

- I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table, Macron told Xi.