Xi has repeatedly described Putin as his best friend. He has repeatedly refused to do anything to stop Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and has diverted dual-use military technologies, weapons-manufacturing components and supplies. Satellite imagery warns USTo Russia.
recently Interview with Politico, US Ambassador to NATO Julian Smith highlighted Beijing’s support for Moscow and said China could no longer declare itself neutral in the conflict. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also criticized Chinese aid “[helping] “Moscow will deliver more death and destruction to Ukraine.”
talking, not talking
In Paris, Macron will provide Xi with an “analysis of developments in the conflict” [will] State the Ukrainian position,” the same Elysee official said. The French president will also “express concern about the activities of some Chinese companies that may be directly involved in or make significant contributions to the Russian war effort.”
Both the leaders have a lot of space to talk ahead of each other.
“It’s going to be a mismatch with expectations,” said Abigail Vaselier, head of foreign relations at MERICS, a think tank, and an EU diplomat who formerly worked on China policy. “The Chinese are going to France to try to see how they can weaken the European intention to move forward [electric vehicles] Test. [But] For France it is going to be second only to the war in Ukraine.
During his visit to China last year, Xi invited Macron to his father’s home in Guangdong province. This week, Macron will try to turn on the charm by taking Xi to his childhood vacation spot in the Pyrenees.