In Meeting With Xi, E.U. Leader Takes Tough Line on Ukraine War.
Ursula Von der Leyen, the European Commission president, pushed Beijing to help rein in Russias war in Ukraine after meeting with the Chinese and French leaders in Paris.
'Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission president, put pressure Monday on China to help resolve the war in Ukraine, saying Beijing should use all its influence on Russia to end its war of aggression against Ukraine.
She spoke after accompanying President Emmanuel Macron of France in a meeting with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, who began his first visit to Europe in five years on Sunday. Ms. von der Leyen has persistently taken a stronger line toward China than has Mr. Macron.
With President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia again suggesting he might be prepared to use nuclear weapons in the war in Ukraine, she said Mr. Xi had played an important role in de-escalating Russias irresponsible nuclear threats. She was confident, Ms. von der Leyen said, that Mr. Xi would continue to do so against the backdrop of ongoing nuclear threats by Russia.
Whether her appeal would have any impact on Mr. Xi was unclear, and describing the conflict as Russias war of aggression in Ukraine seemed likely to irk the Chinese leader. Beijing has forged a no limits friendship with Russia and provided Moscow with critical support for its military effort, including jet fighter parts, microchips and other dual-use equipment.
More effort is needed to curtail delivery of dual-use goods to Russia that find their way to the battlefield, Ms. von der Leyen said of China. And given the existential nature of the threats stemming from this war for both Ukraine and Europe, this does affect E.U.-China relations.'>>>
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/06/world/europe/xi-macron-europe-trade-war.html