The Russian invasion.The outside world's response

 

French President Emmanuel Macron. Thibault Camus / AP

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Macron: Anyone who helps Russia is an accomplice  

China has a "big role" to play in finding a way to peace in Ukraine, says French President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently on a state visit to the country.  

At the same time, Macron warns that whoever helps Russia in the war is an "accomplice". 

- Since the beginning of the conflict, we have decided to help the victim, and we have also made it very clear that anyone who helps the attacker would be an accomplice in violation of international law. 

Xi Jinping and Macron in France, 2019. Mark Schiefelbein / AP  

The Russian invasion. The outside world's response  

Macron to China with trade and Ukraine on the agenda  

On Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron lands in China. There, he hopes, among other things, to dissuade support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine and forge closer economic ties with the important trading partner, writes AFP.  

Before the trip, he held talks with US President Joe Biden. They agreed on the desire to ask China for help in accelerating the peace process in Ukraine and building "a common agenda" on the climate issue.

- China is the only country in the world that is capable of having an immediate and large effect on (the Ukraine war), says a representative of Macron's staff.  

Macron lands in the morning, Swedish time, and begins by meeting French residents in Beijing. On Thursday, talks with Chinese leaders and an official dinner await.

 

Mikhail Misjustin. Alexander Astafyev / AP 

 Russian invasionRussian reactions  

UK: Russia expects foreign money 

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Misjustin has said that the country is preparing to convert part of the Russian national debt into foreign currencies, the UK Ministry of Defense writes in a situation update.  

"The move is most certainly an indication that Russia expects external financial support from foreign states it deems friendly."  

When that happens, investors from other countries will be able to buy parts of the Russian national debt and thereby indirectly finance Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the British. 

The move is seen as a way to plug holes in state finances in preparation for a protracted war in Ukraine.