China’s leader arrives in Europe: what should Ukraine expect
6 May 2024 14:44
ЕКСКЛЮЗИВ
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is visiting Europe for the first time in five years. In Paris, Xi will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. They will discuss both economic and geopolitical issues, including the war in Ukraine. [comersant] asked political analyst Volodymyr Fesenkowhat Ukraine should expect from this visit and whether China wants to “work with France and the entire international community” to end the war in Ukraine, which he called “crisis management”.
Volodymyr Fesenko noted that Xi Jinping is not coming to Europe for Ukraine.
“This is, first of all, a return visit to France, as last year Macron was in China and now Xi Jinping is coming to France. This is a separate line of Chinese foreign policy. They see France as a big European country and a European leader with whom they can negotiate, who pursues an independent policy that is somewhat different from what the US does. And China always takes advantage of this. Two other countries that have friendly relations with China and friendly relations with Russia are Hungary and Serbia,”
– the political scientist explained.
According to him, the Ukrainian topic will definitely be discussed during the visit, at least in France.
“I think that in France, Macron will persuade Xi Jinping, if not to personally participate in the global peace summit, then at least to have a Chinese representative participate in this summit. And for China, for example, to help Russia less and, on the contrary, to help end the war in Ukraine. This will be discussed,”
– fesenko said.
The political analyst added that bilateral relations between France and China, the global situation, the situation not only in Ukraine but also in the Middle East will be discussed first.
“One of the main topics is trade and economic relations between China and the West, China and the EU. There are a lot of controversial and sometimes conflicting topics. We need to look for a balance of interests, and it is not just Xi Jinping and Macron who are doing this. Scholz has recently been to China, and Ursula von der Leyen has visited China. So there is an active dialogue on these issues. But the topic of Ukraine will definitely be present,”
– he explained.
Fesenko believes that one should not expect any sensations from the Chinese leader’s visit.
“I don’t think the Chinese position will change as a result of this visit. The only issue that is still partially open is the possibility of China’s participation in the Global Peace Summit. Xi Jinping will probably not be there, but it is possible that China will change its position and send a representative. But for now, this is unlikely, because Russia is categorically against its partners and allies participating in the summit,”
– he said.
According to him, Russia is working to reduce the number of participants in the summit, if not to disrupt it. And China will listen to Russia’s position one way or another.
“It will not play Russia’s game, it will try to maintain the status of a neutral country, the status of a mediator to resolve what they call the conflict. They don’t call the war between Russia and Ukraine a war, they call it a conflict, and this is also closer to the position of Russia. Therefore, we should not expect any sensations, but this visit is very important and, of course, it is another attempt to push China to take a more active position in influencing Russia and ending the war between Russia and Ukraine,”
– the political scientist concluded.
Author Iryna Shevchenko
