France Says Willing to Work With China to Find a ‘Peaceful Solution’ in Ukraine

China wants a 'strategic consensus' with the EU on the issue

French President Emmanuel Macron’s diplomatic adviser has told China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, that Paris is willing to work with Beijing to find a “peaceful solution” to the war in Ukraine.

“France is ready to make joint efforts with China to facilitate the cessation of hostilities and seek a peaceful solution,” Emmanuel Bonne told Wang, according to a Chinese readout of a phone call that took place on Thursday.

The readout said Bonne “expressed appreciation for China’s positive role in promoting peace talks.” The French position is radically different than the Biden administration’s as the White House came out against the idea of a ceasefire in Ukraine ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s trip to Moscow.

President Biden also immediately dismissed the idea of China mediating between Russia and Ukraine after Beijing released a 12-point peace plan for the conflict. He said the idea of China being involved in the negotiations is not “rational.”

Wang told Bonne in the call that China is hoping to come to a “strategic consensus” with the EU on the issue of Ukraine and wants European countries to promote the idea of peace talks.

“China expects France and other European countries to also play their due role in this regard. Ceasefire, resumption of peace talks and political settlement of the crisis should become the strategic consensus between China and the EU,” the Chinese readout said.

Other world leaders have expressed support for China’s initiatives, including Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula was due to visit China this week but had to cancel after catching pneumonia. Before the cancellation, the Brazilian leader said he would propose a “peace club” with China to help mediate an end to the war in Ukraine.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.