French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna has stressed that her country's position over Taiwan remains unchanged, explaining that France thinks the status quo should not be unilaterally changed.

Colonna made the statement in an exclusive interview with NHK. The interview was conducted in Paris ahead of a foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of Seven nations that kicked off in Nagano Prefecture on Sunday.

Her statement comes as recent remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron on Taiwan sparked international controversy. Macron reportedly said during his recent visit to China that Europe should distance itself from the US-China rivalry over Taiwan.

Colonna was in China with Macron earlier this month. She said the president told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that if China provides further assistance to Russia, it would change France-China relations and how the international community views China.

The foreign minister also said there are roles China should play in relation to the conflict, such as calling on Russia to abide by international law. She stressed the significance of Macron's visit to China, saying she believes it helped China better understand France's position when it considers sending certain messages to Russia.

But she made it clear that conditions are yet to be met to start peace negotiations with Russia. She said countries should get moving to reestablish an environment to hold dialogues with Russia and that all the countries bear responsibility in that regard. She indicated that G7 countries should make concerted efforts to seek Russia's withdrawal from Ukraine.

Colonna is expected to explain France's positions to other members in the G7 ministerial meeting.