(Dan Tri) – Moscow believes that it is almost impossible for France to act as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine because it sides with Kiev and can be considered indirectly involved in the conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing on April 6 (Photo: Reuters).
`Right now, it is almost impossible for France to play the role of mediator because Paris is actually on one side of the conflict. Furthermore, Paris is also involved in this war both directly and indirectly,` the spokesperson said.
In March, the Russian Foreign Ministry also stated that four countries including the US, UK, France, and Germany could not mediate the conflict in Ukraine on the grounds of providing military support to Kiev and imposing sanctions on Moscow.
Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron visited China to promote a peace plan in Ukraine.
Mr. Macron wants to convince Beijing to take advantage of its relationship with Russia to bring peace in Ukraine, or at least prevent China from intending to support Russia in its military campaign in Ukraine.
It is unclear whether during this visit the French leader will make separate proposals on ending the conflict in Ukraine.
France is one of the Western countries that has provided strong aid to Ukraine since the Moscow-Kiev conflict broke out last February.
Meanwhile, China has so far affirmed its neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine issue.
The Kremlin said: `China has very effective and impressive mediation potential… But the situation in Ukraine remains difficult and so far there is no prospect for a peaceful solution.`
`We have repeatedly affirmed that Russia’s goals can be achieved through different solutions. These are political – diplomatic solutions. But if political – military solutions are no longer possible,
Moscow accused the West of trying to prolong the conflict in Ukraine.