At a G20 summit in South Africa, China has endorsed U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to negotiate a resolution with Russia concerning the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This development came as the United States’ traditional allies reiterated their support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s administration.
President Trump’s administration has seen a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy about the Ukraine conflict. In a departure from the previous approach of isolating Russia, Trump has engaged in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sidelining Ukraine from these early discussions. This move was further evidenced by Trump’s recent comment labeling Zelenskyy a “dictator,” which triggered a wave of backing for Zelenskyy from G20 nations including Australia, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
China’s foreign minister, Wang Yi, articulated Beijing’s backing for peace efforts, highlighting the consensus achieved between the U.S. and Russia. He expressed China’s readiness to support a political resolution to the Ukraine crisis. However, he did not reiterate a previous call for comprehensive participation from all stakeholders in these talks, made at the Munich Security Conference.
Cui Hongjian, a scholar at Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted China’s strategic interest in participating in mediation. By doing so, China aims to mitigate the risk of the U.S. leveraging improved ties with Russia to undermine Chinese interests. He stressed the importance of China, in addition to Ukraine, Europe, and Global South countries, being included in the dialogue.
Despite China’s expressed willingness to play a constructive role, some analysts are skeptical about Beijing’s active involvement. Alexander Gabuev of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center pointed out China’s cautious stance on taking geopolitical risks, suggesting that Trump’s direct engagement with Putin might diminish the need for Chinese involvement. Gabuev also remarked that while Trump initially sought China’s engagement, his growing rapport with Putin has led him to believe he might secure a more favorable agreement directly with Russia.
As the geopolitical landscape in relation to Ukraine’s conflict evolves, China’s endorsement of dialogue between the U.S. and Russia marks a notable stance. The situation continues to develop as global powers weigh their roles and interests in seeking a lasting resolution.
