Trump underestimated Xi Jinping’s support for Putin - U.S. journalist

American journalist David Ignatius stated this in an interview with the Studio West program host, Anton Borkovskyi, on Espreso TV.

“I believe President Trump and many others made a mistake in underestimating just how strongly Xi Jinping supports Vladimir Putin in this war. It’s not just about political solidarity. China effectively supplies critical technologies used in weapon production,” he said.

The journalist added that these technologies come directly from China or through its mediation.

“This is a strategic partnership. Xi does not want to see his friend Putin lose. That said, I have felt, as I know many Ukrainians have, that in the long run this war could go on so long and become so damaging to Europe that it would no longer serve China’s interests,” Ignatius emphasized.

He believes Beijing has significant interests in economic, trade, and political partnerships with Europe, especially as the United States pulls back from the region.

“I can imagine a situation, perhaps not this year but maybe next year, where China might offer itself as an intermediary in negotiations. China already has a special envoy who visits Kyiv, as your viewers know. So far, they have not done much in terms of diplomacy. But if the war becomes more difficult from the perspective of Chinese interests, it would not surprise me to see China take on a slightly broader role in trying to help find a settlement, especially if President Trump remains uninvolved,” the journalist concluded.