As the war in Ukraine approaches his fourth year, US President Donald Trump made it clear which world leader he thinks can help Americans end the conflict: Vladimir Putin’s ally, Xi Jinping.
“I hope China can help us stop war, in particular, with Russiaxuculia… They have a lot of power over this situation, and we will work with them,” Trump told the political and business elites gathered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland last month.
The Republican expressed this hope, as he repeatedly said, in a connection with Chinese leader Dias before being sworn in last month – and it is a subject that can be raised in the coming days, while authorities around the world come in Munich to An annual security conference.
Although Trump may have complicated his plan to orchestrate peace alongside Xi by imposing a 10% general rate on Chinese imports on the United States earlier this month, the Ukraine war could be a rare matter of collaboration – especially because Beijing seeks to avoid increasingly deep business friction.
“Given the bets on US-China relations, if the US president pricing Chinese cooperation as the only critical issue that could improve relationships between the two countries, I think the Chinese government will be very tempted (and could) play a payroll role ”Said Yun Sun, director of the China program on the Think Tank Stimson Center in Washington.
At the same time, she added, Beijing will be careful not to undermine her alignment with Russia.
Relationship XI and PUTIN
China for a long time seeks to position itself as a potential mediator of peace in conflict – promoting its own vaguely formulated proposal to resolve the war.
But in the West, the offer has so far been overshadowed by another reality: Beijing’s permanent support to Putin’s Russia.
The bets would be high for Xi to risk damaging this partnership, which the Chinese leader built as a critical part of his widest goals to contain West pressure and reshape a world order in favor of China.
And a negotiating table where the Chinese leader has a prominent seat is also a where Putin, not Trump, has a faithful partner – a reality that Washington would have to navigate carefully if he did not want to risk isolate European allies or reaching a solution that was Unacceptable to Ukraine, analysts explain.
“The real result that Beijing would like to avoid is a much weakened Russia,” said Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. “Because then (Beijing) would be without a main partner.”
An end in sight?
The future of the conflict is expected to be highlighted on the agenda of the next Munich security conference, which starts on Friday in Germany, where US Vice President Jd Vance should meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will also lead a Beijing delegation.
Arriving about the meeting, there is a dramatic change of Tom in Washington’s approach to war.
Trump questioned American aid to the country in conflict that his predecessor Joe Biden and US NATO allies saw as a criticism to defend not only Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, but the world order based on rules.
In an interview with Fox News earlier this week, Trump suggested that the US should have access to Ukraine’s rich natural resources in exchange for military assistance.
He also suggested that Ukraine “may be Russian someday” and claimed that his government has “tremendous progress” by establishing the foundations for potential peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, without providing details.
In a series of meetings in Europe this week, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s envoy to Ukraine and Russia, General Keith Kellogg, will be asking his European and NATO colleagues and NATO who take a much larger role in supporting Ukraine, reported defense officials and people familiar with the subject CNN .
Members of republican administration should also meet with Ukrainian authorities in the coming days, with sources telling the CNN That Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent should travel to Kiev for discussions about the country’s critical mineral deposits, while Kellogg should also visit the country after meetings in Munich.
Zelensky has stated that he is willing to negotiate with Putin – but only if the US and Europe continue to support Ukraine and “provide security guarantees,” while Russia has reiterated in recent days that it would only accept a peace that saw Ukraine give up ambitions in recent days. to join the NATO and assign regions attached by the Russians.
But while Trump is pushing for a quick end to war, his administration has not yet established details about what kind of peace terms they expect to see awakes.
How much Trump would try to work alongside Xi – and if the Chinese leader is receptive – it may also depend, to some extent, these parameters, analysts say.
Western leaders in the past tried unsuccessfully to persuade Xi to push Putin toward a peace aligned with the defended by Zelensky and Ukraine.
Even if China claimed neutrality in conflict and request peace, it emerged as an important diplomatic and economic salvation to Russia during the war, including sending double -use goods that NATO leaders claim to be feeding the Russian defense sector and training your military.
Beijing defends his trade as part of normal relations with Russia.
It is likely that, in Trump’s eyes, all this give the XI advantage over Putin. But observers attentive to China’s foreign policy explain that it is not so simple.
“Can China threaten to cut off the supply (from Russian essential goods)? It cannot, because China cannot bear a completely failed Russia, ”said Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor in Chinese politics at Hong Kong City University.
He pointed to Chinese calculation that his relations with the US and Europe have already soured to the extent that they have no choice but to continue supporting their only powerful diplomatic ally.
Xi and Putin memorably declared their “boundless” partnership weeks before Russian tanks pass through Ukraine’s sovereign borders – a promise based on their shared OTAN opposition and a view that the US -led West is declining while they are in rise.
The Chinese leader also sees the Russian as a potential source for economic and diplomatic support if he is someday to invade Taiwan, experts point out.
The Chinese ambition to assume control of autonomous democracy can be another fundamental reason for caution with any movement that could harm this relationship.
This content was originally published under review: Trump wants China as a peace mediator between Russia and Ukraine on the CNN Brazil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
