French President Emmanuel Macron embarks on an ambitious diplomatic mission to pull Beijing away from Moscow. Officials in Washington wish him success in this.

France hopes to dissuade Chinese leader Xi Jinping from rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin and wants the Chinese to play a mediating role in resolving the war in Ukraine.

“However, it is not clear what leverage Macron has.. And the prerequisites for his three-day trip, which begins on Tuesday, are not easy.. Europe is still recovering from the effects of a severing of trade ties with Russia, and geopolitical tensions between China and the United States are growing,” writes Politico.

The French president wants to play a more personal card with his Chinese counterpart after he came under fire last year for inconclusive phone calls with Putin that failed to stop Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine..

Macron is expected to spend several hours in discussions with Xi Jinping. In addition, the trip includes a visit to a city of personal value to the Chinese leader..

“You can count on the fingers of one hand the number of world leaders who could have an in-depth conversation with Xi Jinping,” said the Champs-Elysees adviser, who requested anonymity because he does not have the authority to speak publicly..

In France, expectations are rather modest, but other Western officials are even more gloomy.. Given Macron's failed attempts to play a central role, end the war in Ukraine or salvage the Iran nuclear deal, there are doubts in the US and elsewhere that the trip will produce significant results..

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White House not too hopeful Macron achieves breakthrough, three administration officials say. Politico interlocutors said Xi is unlikely to grant Macron's requests or limit any active Chinese moves in the Pacific. White House aides lament Macron's failed attempts to act as peacemaker with Putin on the eve of Russia's invasion of Ukraine more than a year ago. Washington expects the same this time.

There is also some concern within the Biden administration about France's potential friendship with China at a time when tensions between Washington and Beijing are at their highest in decades, although US officials have said the White House supports the French president's trip.. But what could further complicate Macron's efforts is the tension between the Chinese side and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who will travel to China with the French president..

In her high-profile speech on EU-China relations on Thursday, Von der Leyen urged member states to 'reduce the risk' of overdependence on China.. She also hinted that the EU could stop pushing for a historic 2020 trade deal with China that has since stalled.. Her remarks prompted a quick reaction from Chinese diplomats.. Fu Kong, China's ambassador to the European Union, said on Friday he was a bit disappointed.

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The visit of the Europeans will also be carefully considered from the point of view of protecting human rights, given the authoritarian nature of China..

“President Macron and Von der Leyen should not, during their visit to Beijing, gloss over the deepening authoritarianism of the Chinese government. They should use their public speaking, along with Xi Jinping, to raise serious concerns about the widespread human rights violations across China, the intensification of oppression in Hong Kong and Tibet, and crimes against humanity in Xinjiang,” said Benedict Jeannereau, director of Human Rights Watch..

Macron's action plan.

Speaking on the eve of a visit to Beijing, the French leader said his goal was " But will Macron's charm work on Putin's \?

China is trying to position itself as a neutral side in the conflict, even as it echoes Moscow's rhetoric by importing discounted energy from Russia. Despite heavy international pressure on Russia, Xi Jinping has decided to make the Kremlin the first stop of his official visit after securing an unprecedented third term as Chinese leader.. In turn, Politico recalls the report that China sent rifles and bulletproof vests to Russia..

Western European leaders who were on friendly terms with Moscow before the war are now calling for cooperation with China. Among them is Macron himself.. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez visited China days before Macron's visit, saying the world "

During his visit, which aides have been discussing since at least last November, Macron will spend several hours with Xi Jinping in Beijing and will also accompany him to the city of Guangzhou.. Chinese leader Xi Zhongxun's father worked there as governor of Guangdong.

“In total, the president will spend six to seven hours in discussions with the Chinese leader.. The fact that he will be the first French president to visit Guangzhou is also a personal touch, as Xi Jinping's father was a party leader there,"

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The French hope Macron's one-on-one time with Xi Jinping will help win China's support on issues such as stopping Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine or stopping the smuggling of Ukrainian children..

Macron is also expected to try to test Xi Jinping's response to Russia's threats to deploy nuclear missiles in Belarus, a decision that runs counter to China's position on nuclear nonproliferation and comes only a month after Beijing unveiled its 12-point plan to resolve the conflict in Ukraine..

“It is absolutely essential to have moments of private meetings. Diplomacy is a long game... With China, I don't think it's easy for us Westerners to build relationships. But maybe that means we can talk when the time is right,” said Sylvie Bermann, the former French ambassador to China..

However, despite the demonstration of goodwill, the French president will not resist raising the issue of supplying Chinese weapons to Russia in Beijing..

“We are not going to threaten, but we will issue some warnings: the Chinese must understand that sending weapons will have consequences for Europe, for us… We must remind them of our security interests,” an unnamed French official said, adding that Macron would not threaten.

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Antoine Bondaz, a China specialist at the Paris-based Foundation for Strategic Studies, questioned the focus on trying to get closer to Xi Jinping..

“It doesn’t work that way in China. A French president who spends two hours walking with Xi Jinping won't make a difference. China only understands the balance of power. Putin, who has spent more than 400 hours with Xi Jinping over the past ten years, may be succeeding.. But Macron does not know Xi,” the expert explained.