China suggests Putin-Trump summit as solution to end war against Ukraine

The Wall Street Journal reported the information.

As Presidents Trump and Putin signal readiness to negotiate the end of the Ukraine war, China is seeking a role by proposing a summit between the two leaders and offering to facilitate peacekeeping efforts after a potential truce.

China's proposal to mediate peace talks between Presidents Trump and Putin is met with skepticism in the U.S. and Europe, due to concerns over China's increasingly close relationship with Russia.

On Wednesday, Trump announced he had a productive phone call with Putin, during which both leaders agreed to visit each other's countries and start talks to end the war in Ukraine. 

“I believe this effort will lead to a successful conclusion, hopefully soon!” he wrote.

Trump later told reporters in the Oval Office that he and Putin will “meet also probably in Saudi Arabia the first time,” though he didn’t specify when.

China's proposal for a U.S.-Russia summit to discuss the Ukraine conflict excludes Ukrainian President Zelensky, raising concerns in the West. This approach contradicts the longstanding Western stance that Ukraine must be involved in any talks regarding its future and European security.

The White House declined to confirm whether it had received China’s offer, but still rejected it. “Not viable at all,” a White House official said. 

When asked about China's proposal for a U.S.-Russia summit, a Chinese Embassy spokesman in Washington stated he wasn't aware of it, but emphasized China's hope that all parties would work toward de-escalation and a political settlement.

Trump initially promised to end the Ukraine-Russia war within his first 24 hours as president, but now his administration aims to resolve it within 100 days. U.S. officials attribute the delay to China’s support for Russia, which has enabled Moscow to continue fighting and resist international cease-fire pressure. Additionally, Russia's war efforts have been supported by Iran and North Korea.

Vice President JD Vance, along with special envoy Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg and senior U.S. officials, is heading to Europe to discuss the Ukraine war with European leaders. Vance is expected to outline the U.S. position for negotiations at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, while Kellogg aims to present Trump with options to quickly end the war​.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to significant casualties, both military and civilian. Despite slow progress on the battlefield, Russia shows no intent to end the war, aiming to achieve its territorial goals and establish a neutral, weak Ukraine. Russian officials recently reiterated their stance that the war will persist until these objectives are fulfilled.

During virtual remarks at the World Economic Forum, Trump suggested that China could help end the Russia-Ukraine war. Some U.S. experts believe Trump might use threats of tariffs on Chinese imports as leverage to persuade President Xi Jinping to intervene in resolving the conflict.

China's offer to mediate reflects Xi's desire to avoid economic conflict with the U.S., but Beijing is unwilling to reduce its substantial support for Russia. Despite some internal doubts about the alignment, China has strengthened its ties with Moscow, becoming a key economic lifeline for Russia amid Western sanctions.

On the day of Trump's inauguration, Xi and Putin pledged to deepen ties. Xi is set to visit Moscow in May for WWII victory commemorations. Since 2012, Xi and Putin have met over 40 times, reinforcing their strategic partnership.

“The personal relationship at the top cancels out heartburn in the Chinese bureaucracy over the cost” of Beijing’s alignment with Moscow, said Rick Waters, managing director for China at the political-risk consulting firm Eurasia Group and a former senior China official at the State Department. 

“So Beijing is likely to offer Trump concessions that are more tactical, including a summit with Putin or involvement in post-ceasefire stabilization regimes,” Waters said. “It will not pressure Putin to get to a cease-fire.”

Beijing's refusal to distance itself from Moscow has damaged its credibility in the West, limiting its potential to influence Russia's actions. In Europe, some officials view China's support for Russia with skepticism, believing Beijing benefits from a prolonged conflict that weakens the U.S. and Europe while increasing Russia's dependence on China.

Despite skepticism, some officials in Berlin and Paris see China as a key player in a lasting peace plan due to its leverage over Moscow. As part of its proposal, China suggests acting as a "guarantor" by sending peacekeeping troops to the region to help enforce a peace agreement.

Concerns in Europe are growing over a potential great-power deal that could overlook Kyiv's demands. A China-led trilateral summit with Putin and Trump might deepen fears that Trump could sideline European interests for a broader deal with Beijing. European officials stress that any peace negotiations must include Ukrainian and European leaders, as their security is directly at stake.

Ukrainian officials acknowledge China’s influence over Russia but remain cautious about its involvement in peace efforts. Zelenskyy has criticized China for undermining a Ukrainian-led peace summit and echoed Trump's stance on "peace through strength," emphasizing that Western military support and sanctions against Russia are the most effective ways to halt the invasion.

Xi sees an opportunity to leverage Trump’s interest in ending the Ukraine war to ease trade tensions. During Trump's first term, he delayed trade actions while seeking Xi’s help with North Korea. Now, amid China’s economic struggles, Xi aims to persuade Trump to soften planned tariffs, which currently include a 10% increase over China’s role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis, with threats of hikes up to 60%.