French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday he would continue to “talk to Russia” despite criticism and called on China to oppose its “imperialist war” in Ukraine.
“All our countries must respect the common position, that is, respect sovereignty and territorial integrity (…) any friendship, alliances that we can foster,” French President Emmanuel Macron said Friday during a reception at the Elysee Palace. on the occasion of the New Year according to the lunar calendar, AFP and Agerpres inform.
“At other times, some might have criticized me for talking to Russia, but I will continue to talk to Russia,” added Emmanuel Macron, one of the few Western heads of state who have maintained contact with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine. February 24, 2022.
“Who can defend the possibility of a free and stable international order if we turn a blind eye to imperialist war?” he said, referring to China in particular.
“We are all responsible for this order and we must ensure that it is respected by clearly expressing our principles,” Emmanuel Macron continued to an audience of economic, artistic and academic figures with ties to Asia.
Macron – Xi: “Global stability is also in the interests of China”
At the G20 summit in Indonesia in November, he urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to “join forces” against the war in Ukraine, stressing that global “stability” is also “in the interests” of China.
Moscow and Beijing present themselves as a geopolitical counterweight to the US and its allies. Russia is also trying to strengthen its ties with China in the face of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine.
As for the Asia-Pacific region, “there is no shortage of challenges,” the French president emphasized. We must “reduce tensions throughout the region, allow peace, respect for stability to continue across the continent, and at the same time face together the major challenges of the moment,” such as global warming, he said.
The United States and its partners are concerned about Beijing’s possible temptation to invade Taiwan after the Russian precedent in Ukraine.
China is also accused of pursuing expansionist goals in the South China Sea, AFP reminds.
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Source: Hot News
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