Germany's Scholz-Have Asked Xi To Influence Russia To Stop Ukraine War

(MNI) London - Wires carrying comments from Chancellor Olaf Scholz speaking in China following his meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang. Says that "I have asked Xi to try to influence Russia to stop the war in Ukraine...We agree that we both support talks about possible ways to peace solutions, we both reject attacks on nuclear facilities." The comments regarding nuclear facilities come a day after Kyiv claimedthat Russia would seek to carry out a 'false flag' operation at the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in an effort to provoke a reaction. The NPP has experienced drone strikes in recent weeks that Russia and Ukraine blame on the other.

• Politico reports"Xi has not offered any fresh commitments on Ukraine, instead supporting “all efforts conducive to peaceful resolution of the [Ukraine] crisis, as well as the timely convening of an international peace conference recognized by both Russia and Ukraine.” He called for “the equal participation of all sides, and where all peace plans could be discussed” — a strong hint that Europe should invite Russia to the table. He asked the West not to “pour fuel on the fire,” China’s euphemism for sending weapons to Ukraine."
• Richard Walker at Germany's DW postson X: "Chinese readout of meeting with Scholz suggests Xi has *weakened* his position on Putin's nuclear threats. 2022 meeting readout:"oppose the use of *or the threat to use* nuclear weapons". 2024:"oppose the use of nuclear weapons".