BEIJING – In a major geopolitical shift, China has expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to negotiate a peace deal with Russia to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. The announcement came during the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa on Thursday, where U.S. allies reaffirmed their backing of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Less than a month into his presidency, Trump has drastically altered U.S. policy on Ukraine, reversing a long-standing strategy to isolate Russia. His approach has included direct engagements with Russian President Vladimir Putin and high-level discussions between U.S. and Russian officials—moves that have largely sidelined Ukraine from the negotiation process.
Trump Calls Zelensky a “Dictator”; US Allies Defend Ukraine
On Wednesday, Trump escalated tensions by referring to Zelensky as a “dictator,” a statement that sparked swift reactions from key G20 members. Countries like Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom quickly reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and condemned any actions that would undermine its sovereignty.
“China supports all efforts conducive to peace in Ukraine, including the recent consensus reached between the United States and Russia,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi at the summit in Johannesburg. He further added, “China is willing to continue playing a constructive role in the political resolution of the crisis.”
Interestingly, Wang did not repeat the stance he had taken at the Munich Security Conference last week, where he emphasized that all stakeholders—including Ukraine—should be included in peace negotiations.l
Beijing’s support for Trump’s peace initiative is not just about diplomacy—it’s about strategic positioning. Analysts suggest that China wants a seat at the table for any potential resolution in Ukraine.
Why?
- China aims to keep Russia within its sphere of influence. With Moscow diplomatically isolated, Beijing sees an opportunity to strengthen its leverage over Russia and prevent it from seeking alternative alliances.
- China is positioning itself for post-war reconstruction. A Chinese role in rebuilding Ukraine would give Beijing a vested interest in Europe’s security and expand its global economic footprint.
“By going straight to Putin, President Trump has erased what Beijing had hoped could be a key piece of initial leverage,” said Ruby Osman, a China expert at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.
She added, “Instead, China might shift its focus towards securing a role in Ukraine’s eventual reconstruction and peacekeeping—something that would give Beijing a more significant stake in European security.”
Russia Hardens Stance as Trump Seeks More Talks
As part of his aggressive push for a peace deal, the Trump administration confirmed that the U.S. has agreed to further talks with Russia following a 4.5-hour meeting in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
Russia acknowledged the discussions as “useful” but toughened its demands—most notably, its firm opposition to NATO granting membership to Ukraine.
While Trump’s strategy remains controversial, one thing is clear: his direct engagement with Moscow has reshaped global diplomatic alignments, with China actively positioning itself as a key player in whatever comes next.
Will Trump’s deal bring peace, or is Ukraine being left out of the conversation? Stay tuned for further updates from the G20 summit.
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