The White House declined to officially confirm whether it had received China's offer, but a White House spokesman said: “It's not realistic at all.”
s the war in Ukraine, China insists on “playing a role in the process.”
The Wall Street Journal reports about this.
Chinese officials have in recent weeks sent intermediaries to Trump's team to offer to hold a summit between the two leaders and to promote peace efforts after a possible truce in ties between Beijing and Moscow, according to sources in Beijing and Washington.
China's proposal would, among other things, hold a US-Russia summit without Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The prospect of the US holding talks with Russia and China on Ukraine's future and European security would run counter to a long-standing Western pledge to include Ukraine in any talks to resolve its future. Trump said he was unaware of the proposal. He added: “We hope that the parties will work to de-escalate and seek a political settlement.”
Even before his election victory, Trump said he aimed to end the Ukraine-Russia war within his first 24 hours in office. After the election, his administration said it would do so within its first 100 days.
U.S. officials blamed the delay on China's support for Russia, which allowed Moscow to continue fighting and resist international pressure for a cease-fire. Iran and North Korea have also backed Russia's military efforts.
In a virtual speech to business leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in January, Trump said, “I hope China will help us stop the war, particularly with Russia and Ukraine.” Some China experts in Washington said the U.S. leader could use the threat of tariffs on Chinese imports as leverage to pressure President Xi Jinping to help resolve the conflict.
China's proposal reflects Xi's desire to engage in talks with Trump to prevent a large-scale economic “. At the same time, the Chinese proposal does not include any commitment from Beijing to reduce its massive economic support for Moscow.
- Shortly before Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, Beijing declared that its friendship with Moscow “knew no bounds.” At the same time, some policy advisers in China questioned whether it was wise for Beijing to embrace Russia so closely, given how intertwined China's economy is with the West. Despite this, Beijing has forged stronger economic and diplomatic ties with Moscow, providing a vital lifeline for the Kremlin amid Western sanctions.
- Yesterday, Trump held a lengthy conversation with the Russian dictator, discussing the war in Ukraine and agreeing to begin talks to end it. The American president has instructed his Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, National Security Advisor Michael Waltz and Special Representative for the Near East Stephen Witkoff to lead these negotiations.
- After this, Trump may meet with Putin in Saudi Arabia.
- During a conversation with journalists at the White House, Donald Trump repeated Pete Hegseth's position regarding the “unlikely” of Ukraine returning to its 2014 borders, presenting the necessary concessions. to provide assistance to Ukraine, but for this the United States needs “guarantees.” He added that the previous administration senselessly transferred money to Ukraine, and his administration plans to receive guarantees for the return of its money.
