PARIS, France -- Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke virtually with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday, and reiterated that China is willing to 'work actively' with the international community to mediate the crisis in Ukraine, without offering any details.
Xi called the situation 'worrisome', according to a statement from the China's foreign ministry.
'China will stay in communication with France, Germany and the EU and, in light of the needs of the parties involved, work actively together with the international community', the statement said, adding that all efforts 'conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported', it added.
Xi also condemned Western sanctions, warning they will 'dampen the global economy that is already ravaged by the pandemic'.
'This is the interest of no one. We need to actively advocate a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security', Xi said, according to the statement.
China has consistently refused to call the war in Ukraine a Russian invasion, and officials regularly point to NATO's eastward expansion as a root cause to the conflict - parroting a key Russian talking point.
Xi gave his support to French and German 'actions' to reach a ceasefire in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said following a call between the three leaders. He also recognize the 'need to guarantee people's access to humanitarian aid coordinated by the United Nations', the statement read, adding that the foreign ministers of Germany, France and China are to enter into close consultation to coordinate further efforts to end the conflict.
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