Progress reported in Ukraine Peace Discussions Following Macron’s Visit too Beijing
BEIJING – following a visit to Beijing, French President Emmanuel Macron stated Friday that he observed a willingness from Chinese president Xi Jinping to contribute to stability and peace in Ukraine. Macron indicated progress was made in discussions aimed at securing China’s support for ongoing peace efforts, emphasizing the need for guarantees preventing future Russian attacks on Ukraine should a settlement be reached.
macron stressed the importance of European involvement in any negotiations, stating, “The unity between Americans and Europeans on the ukrainian issue is essential. And I say it, repeat it, emphasize it. We need to work together.” The French president’s comments come amid continued fighting, including recent drone strikes impacting both Ukraine and Russia.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continued its campaign targeting Russian logistics. Ukrainian drones reportedly struck Temriuk sea port in Russia’s Krasnodar region and the Syzran oil refinery in the Samara region overnight,igniting fires.Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 85 Ukrainian drones over Russian regions and Crimea.
In central Ukraine, a Russian drone strike Thursday night destroyed a house in the Dnipropetrovsk region, killing a 12-year-old boy and injuring two women, according to regional military governance head Vladyslav Haivanenko. The Ukrainian air force reported Russia launched 137 drones during the night.