Macron's Unexpected Strategy to Influence Putin, Reports Say

The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, is looking to influence Russian President Vladimir Putin through Chinese leader Xi Jinping, according to Bloomberg.

“Macron aims to strengthen his personal ties with Xi during a two-day visit to France, as he hopes the Chinese leader will urge Putin to end Russia's war against Ukraine,” sources familiar with the French President's plans told the agency.

Additionally, Macron is also seeking to engage Chinese investments in the French electric vehicle battery production sector.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit France, Serbia, and Hungary from May 5 to 10.

Previously, Xi Jinping wrote in an op-ed for RIA Novosti and Rossiyskaya Gazeta that Russia and China continuously strengthen their political mutual trust, committed to the concepts of eternal friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation.