European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the European Union counts on China to lean on Russia to end its war on Ukraine as she gave a statement following talks with the country's president, Xi Jinping on Monday.

"We count on China to use all its influence on Russia to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine," von der Leyen said following a meeting with Xi and French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace.

"President Xi has played an important role in de-escalating Russia's irresponsible nuclear threats, and I am confident that President Xi will continue to do so against the backdrop of ongoing nuclear threats by Russia," she added.