Macron-I Can Count On China To Bring Russia To The  Negotiating Table

MNI (London) - Comments from Chinese President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron hitting wires as the two meet in Beijing as part of Macron's state visit to China. As well as bilateral talks, tripartite talks involving Xi, Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will also take place later today.

• State media reports Xi saying that 'Sino-French relations have maintained positive, steady momentum...China and France have maintained close communication, collaboration on issues from climate change to biodiversity...China and France have the ability and responsibility to transcend differences and restraints as the world undergoes profound historical changes.'
• Wires report Macron telling Xi that 'Russia's was in Ukraine has hit stability, ended decades of peace in Ukraine,' and that 'He knows he can count on China to reason with Russia and bring everyone back to the negotiating table.'
• Macron and von der Leyen are expected to use the trip as an attempt to convince Xi not to supply weaponry to Russia. China has denied that any such transfers have taken place, but several Ukrainian allies including the US have raised concerns of the prospect.