
The Kremlin says it has followed "important talks" between Chinese President Xi Jinping, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, but doubts China will change its stance on the Ukraine conflict under external pressure. .
Earlier, China has proposed a "peace plan", but Ukraine and some Western leaders remain skeptical of Xi's close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the Kremlin has "promoted" talks between the EU and China, but stressed that Russia has its own "valuable relations" with Beijing.
"China is a very serious, very big power with its sovereign position. This is not the kind of country that quickly changes its positions under external influence," Peskov said when asked by reporters if Russia was worried that Europe could convince Xi about Ukraine.
According to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, after the conversation, Xi expressed his willingness to speak directly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Macron said he called on Beijing to "make Russia understand."
The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the focus of Macron's visit to China. This is his first visit to China, since 2019. The President of the European Commission, who together with the French President Macron are on a visit to Beijing, welcomed the willingness of the Chinese President Xi Jinping to talk with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky ./ REL