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France’s Macron sees China’s Xi to discuss Ukraine, geopolitics, economy
Meanwhile, as we were sleeping, France’s Emmanuel Macron has met with China’s Xi Jinping, urging him to “work together” on ending the war in Ukraine and broader geopolitical and economic issues.
France’s president Emmanuel Macron gestures towards children next to China’s president Xi Jinping (L) during a welcome ceremony at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Photograph: Adek Berry/Reuters
“Now, more than ever, dialogue between China and France is vital,” Macron told his host during their Thursday meeting at Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, Reuters reported.
“I propose a positive threefold agenda for our relations, one of geopolitical stability, of economic rebalancing, and of environmental sustainability,” he said.
Reuters noted that the French president seeks to bolster his foreign policy credentials and secure commercial deals for French industry in a bid to revitalise his political legacy in the final years of his term after a tumultuous summer, and ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
China, for its part, wants to ease trade frictions with the 27-strong EU over its heavily subsidised electric vehicle industry, while presenting itself as a reliable trading partner and an alternative market to the US as global economies face recession risks resulting from President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
ShareMorning opening: So, what’s next?
Jakub Krupa
Russian president Vladimir Putin has described this week’s Ukraine peace talks as “necessary,” “useful,” and “difficult work,” stressing that some of the proposals were unacceptable to Moscow.
He also continued his attacks on Europeans, saying they should get involved to help a deal, rather than hinder it. (Erm.)
But US president Donald Trump insisted that Putin would like to agree a deal, describing the talks as “reasonably good.”
What comes next, however, is not clear.
Meanwhile, the European Union is consumed by a debate on the use of frozen Russian assets, with Belgium only doubling down on its opposition to the European Commission’s proposals, which its prime minister Bart de Wever insisted was totally reasonable.
Let’s just say that not everyone agrees, as much as some of them are sympathethic with some of Belgium’s concerns.
In a comment piece for Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, German chancellor Friedrich Merz warned fellow leaders that the decisions they are going to make now will “decide the future of Europe,” as he talked about the growing threat from “imperialist Russia.”
The EU leaders are still hoping to make a decision at the summit later this month, which gives them 14 days to come up with some sort of acceptable consensus.
I will bring you all the key updates throughout the day.
It’s Thursday, 4 December 2025, it’s Jakub Krupa here, and this is Europe Live.
Good morning.