German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on Friday during a visit to Beijing that he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping to use his “influence” to push Russia to end its “war of aggression” against Ukraine.
“I told the (Chinese) President that it is important for China to use its influence with Russia,” Schultz said, noting that “it is about the need to respect the principles of the United Nations Charter, which we all adhere to, and among these principles is sovereignty and territorial integrity, which is also important for China.”
Schultz also urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend an agreement allowing grain shipments from Ukraine to pass safely to avoid a famine crisis.
During his visit to Beijing, he told reporters: “I urge the President of Russia not to refuse to renew the grain agreement, which expires in a few days … Hunger should not be used as a weapon.”
For his part, the Chinese leader called after the meeting with Schultz to quickly establish direct contact to resolve the crisis in Ukraine, adding: “The international community must support a peaceful solution to the crisis in Ukraine.”
In another context, Schultz said that during his visit to China, he emphasized Germany’s commitment to the one-China policy, while drawing attention to growing concerns about stability and peace in the region.
“I have made it clear… that any change to Taiwan’s status quo must be peaceful or consensual,” Schultz said today at a press conference with outgoing Chinese premier Li Keqiang in Beijing.
