French President Emmanuel Macron urged his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to "listen to reason" on Ukraine, accusing Moscow of becoming "a force of global destabilization" after it loosened its rules on using nuclear arms.

Speaking to journalists after the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, the French leader said: "I want truly to call here on Russia to listen to reason. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council it has responsibilities."

He said he had asked Chinese President Xi Jinping during a meeting at the G20 to "use all his influence" with Putin to try to achieve a de-escalation.

Macron said Russia ally China had "the capacity to negotiate with President Putin so that he halts his attacks" on Ukraine.

Macron also cited the alleged involvement of another China ally, North Korea, which has reportedly deployed thousands of troops to fight alongside Russia, as a reason for Beijing to intercede.

Russia has reacted furiously to a decision by US President Joe Biden to change policy on Ukraine and allow Kyiv to use US-supplied long-range missiles to strike Russian territory for the first time.

The tensions spiralled further on Tuesday after Russia said Ukraine used the missiles against a facility in Russia's Bryansk region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was at the G20, said the escalation had brought the United States and Russia to "the brink of direct military conflict".

Macron tells Xi he shares desire for 'durable peace' in Ukraine
Rio De Janeiro (AFP) Nov 19, 2024 –

French President Emmanuel Macron told China's leader Xi Jinping on Tuesday that he shared the desire to see "durable peace" in Ukraine — a topic discussed at a G20 summit both are attending in Rio.

Macron, making the comments at the start of their bilateral meeting on the summit sidelines, insisted France and China had a "convergence of views" on the conflict.

In the face of a world "made of instabilities, tensions, and increasing wars," Macron said, China and France were in agreement.

"You share like us the same concern following Russia's bellicose and escalatory declarations on nuclear doctrine," said the French president.

"In the same way, in May… we both called for a ceasefire in Gaza, this must now extend to South Lebanon," he added.

Paris, Macron said, would continue to promote "strategic autonomy, precisely to be able to talk with China in complete independence."

Xi in turn told Macron the world was facing growing "risks and challenges" and that "the future trend may be more uncertain and unpredictable," according to video shared by Chinese state media.

But, he said, the two countries' ties had "unique strategic and global significance."

"I am willing to work with you to deepen strategic communication, strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, and jointly respond to changes and challenges," Xi said.

Macron in May hosted the Chinese leader when he made a state visit to Paris.

Xi and Macron have each been holding numerous bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20, which gathers the leaders of the world's biggest economies.

While the summit has focused on climate issues and the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, many of the participants are bracing for an imminent return to the White House of Donald Trump.

Outgoing US President Joe Biden represented his country at the summit but cut a diminished figure as his peers looked past him, politically, to Trump and the "America First" policies the president-elect has pledged.

In comments to journalists late Monday, Macron said Europe had a role to play in supporting "a collective multilateral effort" given increased trade confrontation between the United States and China.