Germany's Scholz urges Xi to use force to stop escalation of war in Ukraine

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz appealed to Chinese President Xi Jinping to support him in stopping the escalation of the war in Ukraine, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday.

A government spokesman said Scholz warned Xi about an increase in North Korean troops being sent to Ukraine to fight alongside Russian troops.

China is the most likely country to influence North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

According to media reports, Russia has massed about 50,000 troops, including more than 10,000 North Korean troops, in the western Russian region of Kursk, where Ukrainian troops are currently stationed, ahead of the next major offensive.

During a surprise attack earlier this year, Ukrainian troops took control of 1,000 square kilometers in the Kursk region.

Ukrainian authorities say there have been initial clashes between Ukrainian and North Korean troops, although this information has not been independently confirmed.

The chancellor also briefed Xi on his recent “sobering” phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a government spokesman said.

Scholz said on Monday that he hopes to use the meeting with Xi to discuss the issue of Chinese arms delivery to Russia.

“It's always been a topic of my talks to warn everyone about supplying dangerous weapons to Russia. And that's why that will continue, it's an important issue,” he said.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the German government believes China is supporting Russia with drones. Baerbock on Monday threatened China with sanctions over the supply.

Scholz and Xi wanted peace at the meeting

“No one should be afraid of his neighbor. The main goal of peace in the world, which we are working hard to achieve,” said Scholz in a public statement opening the meeting.

Those comments could be read as a reference to the conflict in Ukraine, or the tension between China and Taiwan, which China considers a renegade province.

Xi warned that global development is at a critical crossroads and that conflicts and disagreements are emerging.

Ensuring security and peace is a challenge that all countries must face, Xi said.

He said that China is willing to work with Germany to consolidate a comprehensive strategic relationship between the two countries.

While the war in Ukraine was at the top of Scholz's agenda, the two also discussed the recent tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric vehicle imports from China, China's Xinhua news agency reported.

Xi reportedly told the German chancellor that China wants to resolve the differences through dialogue and hopes that Germany will continue to participate in this.

The two also discussed the Middle East conflict and economic relations in the 30-minute meeting, a German government spokesman said.