{"id":3699,"date":"2024-04-16T17:54:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T17:54:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3699"},"modified":"2024-04-16T17:54:00","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T17:54:00","slug":"german-chancellor-urges-china-to-use-influence-to-end-ukraine-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=3699","title":{"rendered":"German chancellor urges China to use ‘influence’ to end Ukraine war"},"content":{"rendered":"


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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has urged China\u2019s leader Xi Jinping to use its influence to press Russia to end its war in Ukraine. <\/p>\n

Following meetings with Xi on Tuesday in Beijing, Scholz said on the social media platform X that \u201cChina\u2019s word carries weight in Russia,\u201d and that \u201cI have therefore asked President Xi to influence Russia so that Putin finally \u2026 ends this terrible war.\u201d <\/p>\n

He added that Xi agreed to support a peace conference in Switzerland. <\/p>\n

The statements come at the tail end of Scholz\u2019s three-day visit to China, in which he discussed a wide range of issues with Xi and other leaders. <\/p>\n

Scholz on Tuesday warned against threatening nuclear weapons during the war, after Russian President Vladimir Putin last month said he is ready to use them if the country\u2019s sovereignty or independence is threatened. <\/p>\n

He also told Xi that Moscow\u2019s invasion threatens global security and that the two countries could work together to achieve a \u201cjust peace for Ukraine.\u201d <\/p>\n

Commenting on the crisis, Xi said, \u201cChina encourages and supports all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis,\u201d according to Chinese state media. <\/p>\n

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\nA large screen shows news coverage of Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, meeting German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing on April 16, 2024.<\/span>
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Xi added that China and Germany are the second and third largest economies in the world and that Beijing and Berlin \u201cshould view and develop bilateral relations from a long-term and strategic perspective and work together to inject more stability and certainty into the world.\u201d <\/p>\n

This statement follows growing international criticism of Beijing over its continued diplomatic and economic ties with Moscow amid its invasion of Ukraine, which has helped Russia stay afloat during expansive Western sanctions. <\/p>\n

China claims it is a neutral party in the conflict, and despite accusations from the United States, has asserted that it has not and will not provide military aid to Russia to support its invasion. <\/p>\n

In addition to the Ukraine war, Scholz\u2019s trip has been overshadowed by other international conflicts and events. <\/p>\n

Germany\u2019s chancellor arrived on Sunday after Iran\u2019s first-ever direct attack on Israeli territory. Nearly all of more than 300 missiles and drones were intercepted by Israel and its allies. Scholz has followed other Western leaders in warning Iran not to strike again and Israel not to retaliate. <\/p>\n

On Monday, Scholz discussed the importance of fair competition between Europe and China, while urging Beijing to not dump or overproduce in the European market. For eight consecutive years as of 2023, China has been Germany\u2019s largest trade partner. <\/p>\n

The trip also comes as the humanitarian crisis worsens in the Gaza Strip, more than six months into the Israel-Hamas war. <\/p>\n

In a press conference Tuesday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said that \u201cChina and Germany are concerned about the serious humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the danger of further escalation of regional tensions.\u201d <\/p>\n

Lin added that both Beijing and Berlin call for \u201cunhindered and sustainable access to humanitarian aid for the Gaza Strip.\u201d <\/p>\n

Some information in this report came from Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse.<\/em> <\/p>\n<\/div>\n