Macron’s visit to Beijing: Europe leverages its ties with China to influence U.S. policy on Ukraine

On December 4, 2025, in Beijing, French President Emmanuel Macron met with China’s leader Xi Jinping. Following the meeting, Paris and Beijing signed twelve cooperation agreements in the fields of natural resources and investment.

The French President and the head of the PRC also discussed bilateral trade relations, future mechanisms for incorporating Chinese investment into European economies, and potential collaboration in the aerospace, aviation, and energy sectors.

The conversation between the two leaders also touched on ending the Russian-Ukrainian war. Macron called for coordinated action by Paris and Beijing to advance a peaceful settlement of the conflict, proposing, in particular, the introduction of a moratorium on strikes against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure.