Trump wants China to mediate to restore peace in Ukraine, what does Beijing want?
Last Updated on February 13, 2025 6:28 am
Who can play an important role in resolving the Ukraine crisis, which is entering its fourth year? — US President Donald Trump has made his position clear on this issue. According to him, Chinese President Xi Jinping, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, can help resolve this crisis.
In a report published on Wednesday, the US media CNN highlighted the entire issue. The report is highlighted for the readers of Yugantar-
Trump’s hopes
Earlier this year (in January), at the World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said, ‘I hope that China will help us stop the Russia-Ukraine war…. They have great power in this regard and we will work with them’.
Trump claimed at the time that he had discussed the issue with Xi Jinping on the phone a few days before taking office. The issue may come up again in the presence of world leaders at the annual security conference in Munich, Germany, on February 14.
However, has Trump recently complicated this initiative by creating economic tensions with China?
The US president imposed a 10% tariff on Chinese imports this month. But the Ukraine war issue could be a rare area where Sino-US relations have the potential to improve.
China’s position
China has always wanted to portray itself as a peacemaker in the Ukraine war. Chinese authorities have also presented their own peace plan, although it is quite vague.
However, the Western world has always viewed China’s initiative with suspicion. Because Beijing stands firmly on Moscow’s side. Which is a difficult equation for China. Because on the one hand, China can improve relations with the United States by working with Trump. On the other hand, damaging relations with Russia could be strategically harmful for Beijing.
Risks and benefits for China
Chinese analysts, however, say that Xi Jinping will not want to jeopardize relations with Russia. Because it is important for China’s long-term interests.
China wants to build resistance against the United States and the West on the one hand. On the other hand, their goal is to reorganize the world order to their advantage.
“If Trump sees China’s cooperation as a key condition for improving US-China relations, Beijing may be interested,” said Yun Sun, director of China studies at the Stimson Center in New York. “But they certainly don’t want to damage relations with Russia.”
The Future of the Ukraine War and the Munich Conference
Meanwhile, the Munich Security Conference, which begins on Friday, will have a major discussion on the future of the Ukraine war. There, US Vice President JD Vance will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will attend the conference with a delegation from Beijing.
Meanwhile, important figures from the Trump administration are currently visiting Europe and Ukraine. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s envoy for Ukraine-Russia issues, General Keith Kellogg, are busy holding talks with allies in Europe.
In addition, US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant is also visiting Kiev. Ukraine’s mineral resources will also be discussed during this visit.
Cooperation for Ukraine: Resources in exchange?
Trump said in a recent interview with Fox News, “We are providing military assistance to Ukraine. Why don’t they give us access to our mineral resources?’
At that time, he also commented that ‘Ukraine may one day become part of Russia’. And his comments may be a cause for concern for Ukraine and the West.
China’s role: Does the country really want peace?
Although China has long claimed to be neutral, it has become a major economic and diplomatic ally of Russia. China is exporting important components to Russia for use in the military sector. The West says that China is increasing Russia’s ability to wage war.
In addition, Beijing has never imposed sanctions on Russia, but has instead increased bilateral trade.
If China really wanted to put pressure on Russia, it could put economic pressure on Russia. But Beijing will not do this because it does not want to see Russia in a weak state.
Is Xi Jinping interested in peace talks with Trump?
Whether Chinese President Xi Jinping is interested in peace talks with Trump will depend on Trump’s conditions. The Biden administration previously tried to pressure China into backing Putin, but failed. Now Trump is trying to convince China in his own way.
However, Beijing sees this (Ukraine) war as an opportunity—to accelerate the collapse of a US-led world order.
In this regard, Tang Zhao, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said, “China now wants to build a world order in which America’s influence is less and developing countries are on China’s side.”
Peace, or political interests?
A peace agreement between China, Russia and the United States could end the ongoing war and destruction, which could be beneficial for all three countries. However, analysts have warned, “If Russia retains the territories it has occupied even after the peace agreement, it would not really be the end of the war, but rather a temporary pause.”
The main points of the whole discussion:
✅ Trump wants China to play a role in the Ukraine peace talks.
✅ China will not want to ruin relations with Russia.
✅ The Trump administration wants Ukraine’s mineral resources in exchange for aid.
✅ China sees the war as an opportunity to divert America’s attention from Asia.
✅ Will the Ukraine war really end, or will there be only a pause?
Now, as a reader, what is your opinion? Is China really interested in bringing peace to Ukraine, or is this just a strategy? And what does Trump want to do?