Ukraine must think strategically about its relationship with China — foreign policy expert

She expressed this opinion on Espreso TV.

“If, in the matters of interaction between Ukraine and the United States, before the current arrival of Donald Trump, the trajectory was more or less clear—that the United States is our ally, which bears certain obligations towards us. And accordingly, we, like other allies of the United States, according to the same scheme, must be in some way close in ideas, values, and their policies. Just as European countries did, including regarding China. Now, of course, we must be very careful and watch what is happening in the world. And we must think strategically about how we will build our relations with China. On the one hand, we must understand China’s interests. At the moment, Russia and China are very close countries in the context of their confrontation with the United States. Accordingly, we will not receive support from China, but on the other hand, the strategy of ‘do not make an enemy for yourself’ was justified,” she said.

Natalia Plaksienko-Butyrska believes that Ukraine does not need extra problems in its relations with China, especially when the country is fighting on broad fronts and has many interests to defend.

“We do not need the same elements, components that we purchase and that are extremely necessary for the front to be stopped. China has tools for subtle pressure, and it does not need to speak loudly about it. On the other hand, we must be aware of certain steps we take as a compliment to the United States, as a desire to show our loyalty, that we are on their side. I am talking about the current situation that has arisen. It seemed as if, on the one hand, we wanted to demonstrate China’s presence and its support for Russia, but on the other hand, perhaps also to demonstrate this loyalty. It did not receive any positive perception in the United States, but instead, we could harm ourselves. So, we must be balanced—first of all. Secondly, it seems to me that at the moment we are trying to form our circle of allies, to find ourselves among European countries,” Natalia Plaksienko-Butyrska noted.

• On April 9, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence services are aware of at least 155 Chinese citizens fighting in the Russian army.
• The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that they know nothing about more than 155 Chinese citizens who might be fighting on the side of the Russian army against Ukraine.
• On April 12, it was reported that about 200 Chinese citizens are fighting as mercenaries on the Russian side in the war against Ukraine.