China's greatest concern: Trump's approach to Russia

China's greatest concern: Trump's approach to Russia

The pressure of US President Donald Trump to end the war in Ukraine seems to be targeting to make important concessions to Russia. This could lead to Kiev and his European supporters left out, while they face the view of peace without their participation.

China's role in the Ukraine crisis

But not only Ukraine is affected in this situation. In Beijing, too, the rapid turn of events raises questions about how Trump's peace efforts will influence the carefully elaborated partnership between China's President Xi Jinping and the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The relationships between China and the Trump administration are also at stake.

Beijing as a neutral player?

China's skeptical attitude

Now Beijing is in a predicament - as neither Russia towards Loyal nor as a weighty voice in the global conversation. So far, the rapid developments that even Chinese officials have surprised not to give a handling of the situation.

The risks for XI Jinping

The missions are high for XI Jinping, which has built up a strong personal relationship with his "old friend" Putin for years. His risk of not taking a stand against the Russian invasion of Ukraine could turn out to be fatal for China's reputation in Europe and American allies in Asia closer to NATO.

China's support for peace negotiations

In the past few days, Chinese officials have revised their support for the "agreement" between the USA and Russia in order to initiate peace talks. "China supports all efforts that contribute to peace negotiations," said the top diplomat Wang Yi at a meeting of the UN Security Council.

observations on US goals

Comments of American government officials may also have drawn attention to possible inherent US goals while working with Russia. The US diplomat Marco Rubio called the possibility of future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow as one of the key areas discussed in Riad.

The relationship between Russia and China

observers are skeptical whether Washington can seriously damage the Russia-China relationship, especially in view of the deep agreement against the US-led order. However, concerns are not unfounded

diplomatic challenges

The geopolitical landscape has changed for a long time. Bitter disputes on their long border led to conflicts between the Soviet Russia and the young People's Republic of China in 1969. A diplomatic coup by President Richard Nixon and his consultant Henry Kissinger, who exploited these divisions to establish relationships with Beijing, has postponed the balance of power during the Cold War in favor of the USA.

China's future strategies

However, some experts see China's familiarity with Moscow as strong enough to survive the unilateral damnation of political developments. "The relationships between China and Russia are unique and are based on strong institutional connections from the past decades," said Yu Bin, Senior Fellow at the Russian study center of the East Chinese university in Shanghai.

a place at the negotiating table?

China is urging itself to position itself again as a responsible player who can contribute to normalizing relationships. If an agreement comes about, Beijing could even send peace troops to Ukraine and take on a role in reconstruction of the country.

Ukraine's strategies for the integration of Chinas

The Ukrainian President Wolodymyr Selenskyj has already expressed that it was important to involve China in the efforts to exert pressure on Putin and end the war. He found that developments in international politics are progressing quickly and that all relevant countries that can take responsibility should sit at the negotiating table.