MOSCOW, April 10. /TASS/. Paris can hardly claim the role of a mediator between Moscow and Kiev, since it is indirectly involved in the conflict on the part of Ukraine, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

"Now, Paris can hardly claim the role of a mediator because Paris has actually taken side with one of the parties to the conflict. Moreover, Paris is involved in this conflict on the part of Ukraine both directly and indirectly," he said, adding that "so far, it is hard to imagine mediatory efforts."

At an informal meeting with visiting French President Emmanuel Macron in China’s Guangzhou earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that Beijing hailed Paris’ proposals on the political and diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Ukraine and was ready to support them. The Chinese leader called on the parties to the conflict to undertake responsibility and meet each other halfway to create conditions for political settlement.