German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called on Chinese President Xi Jinping to use his influence over Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to push for an end to Moscow's war against Ukraine during Putin's visit to Beijing.
Merz said this at a joint press conference with Swiss President Guy Parmelin in Berlin, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
"We do not expect fundamental changes in the strategic relations between Russia and China at this time. However, we place hope in this visit that President Xi will influence Putin to bring an end to this war in Ukraine, which he cannot win and which, on the contrary, is accompanied by heavy human losses for Russia," Merz said.
He added that Germany is also closely monitoring Putin's visit to Beijing and recent statements made following earlier meetings between Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump.
Merz stressed that Germany and Switzerland are calling for serious negotiations to end Russia's war against Ukraine, noting that "durable peace can only be achieved together with Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and Europeans."
