China's main goal is to create discord between the US, Europe – Portnikov

He stated this on Espreso.

“Regarding China's position, it is evident that they have multiple objectives. Their primary goal is to create discord between Europe and the United States. China not only suggests that the war should end with the current status quo, but also emphasizes that the United States is prepared to prolong the conflict until both parties are exhausted, which would primarily burden Europe. Therefore, China proposes halting the war based on the existing territorial realities acknowledged by Russia and Ukraine. China aims for Russia to acknowledge that it is no longer at war with Ukraine. These are the terms they consider for achieving "peace." This perspective seems logical to me. They may have even started it all with this purpose”, the journalist explained.

Vitaly Portnikov added that China is waiting for the moment when it becomes evident that neither side's troops will advance further, and the casualty count reaches a point where both Ukrainian and Russian societies reject the constant loss of their compatriots.

“This war serves to strengthen China in several ways. Firstly, it undermines the Russian economy, making Russia increasingly dependent on China. Secondly, it weakens the economies of Western countries. Furthermore, China anticipates that this war will exploit future conflicts between Europe and the West. China appears less concerned about the impact on Ukraine, focusing more on the political implications. They view Russia as a tool to weaken the West, and the war is part of this broader strategy,” as noted by Portnikov.

• On May 26, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western officials, that China has proposed to Russia the withdrawal from the occupied territories of Ukraine as a means to end the war. 

• Additionally, on May 27, analysts from the Institute for the Study of War noted that the Kremlin feigns interest in peace talks to impede Western aid to Ukraine.