Emmanuel Macron has appealed to Xi Jinping to "bring Russia back to its senses" over the Ukraine war.
Emmanuel Macron has called for Xi Jinping to 'bring Russia to its senses'
The French president is visiting Beijing with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and urged the Chinese leader to use his close relationship with Russian despot Vladimir Putin to help bring an end to the conflict.
Macron told Xi: "The Russian aggression in Ukraine has dealt a blow to (international) stability.
"I know I can count on you to bring Russia back to its senses and bring everyone back to the negotiating table."
Von der Leyen said that the Chinese premier expressed a willingness to speak to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky as he continues to refuse to condemn Moscow for last year's invasion.
She said: "It was interesting to hear that President Xi reiterated his willingness to speak (to Mr Zelensky)."
However, the Chinese president did not mention a possible conversation with Zelensky in his comments after a meeting between the trio and gave no sign that Beijing had changed its stance since calling for peace talks in February.
Xi said: "Peace talks should resume as soon as possible."
He also called on other governments to avoid doing anything that "might make the crisis deteriorate or even get out of control".
Xi has sought to position China as a possible mediator in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and has proposed a 12-point peace plan that calls on both sides to agree to a gradual de-escalation and eventual ceasefire.