Donald Trump stated that he seeks China’s assistance in addressing the situation with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. While aboard Air Force One, he expressed a desire for China to “help us out with Russia” during his tour in Asia, where he is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. However, the feasibility of this request is uncertain, given China’s role as a significant ally of Russia, providing critical support since the implementation of Western sanctions.
Trump’s remarks come following a challenging week for Ukraine. The United States declined to supply Ukraine with Tomahawk cruise missiles, while EU leaders did not release frozen Russian assets to assist Ukraine’s defense. Over this period, Ukraine has endured more strikes, raising concerns regarding the conflict.
In recent months, the resolution of the Russia-Ukraine war has become a significant priority for Trump, despite difficulties in achieving a ceasefire. His previous discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin have not yielded substantial outcomes, leading to frustrations on Trump’s part. He recently announced new sanctions targeting Russia’s two largest oil companies, marking a direct action by his administration related to the conflict.
Although Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi is expected to center on US-China trade relations, he indicated intentions to discuss “everything,” including the Ukraine war. He expressed confidence in his relationship with Xi, claiming that Xi desires an end to the conflict.
China has never condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has been accused by the US and its allies of supporting Russia through oil purchases and supplying dual-use materials, claims that Beijing has contested. The relationship between Russia and China is described as a “friendship with no limits,” and recent diplomatic interactions have emphasized their solidarity, particularly as they seek to counter Western influence.
Meanwhile, in Ukraine, continued Russian strikes have resulted in loss of life and significant damage, prompting calls from President Volodymyr Zelensky for heightened support from allies.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn51yk9vgrko?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss