China proposes summit for US-Russia talks on Ukraine war

Beijing has proposed hosting a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to mediate an end to the Ukraine war.

The initiative, floated through intermediaries, envisions China playing a key role in post-war peacekeeping efforts following an eventual ceasefire, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

However, the proposal is being met with scepticism from the U.S. and European leaders due to concerns over China’s increasingly close ties with Russia.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social, confirmed that he had engaged in a "lengthy and highly productive" conversation with Putin regarding peace talks. The former and current leaders of the United States and Russia reportedly agreed to visit each other's countries and to initiate negotiations immediately. Trump later suggested that their first meeting could take place in Saudi Arabia, though he did not specify a date.

Notably, China's proposed summit does not include Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a detail that contradicts the West’s longstanding commitment to ensuring Ukraine’s participation in any peace talks that determine its future. A White House official dismissed the Chinese offer as "not viable at all."

China's offer underscores President Xi Jinping’s interest in engaging with Trump, potentially to stave off aggressive economic measures from Washington. However, Beijing remains wary of jeopardizing its close partnership with Moscow. Analysts suggest that while China may support peacekeeping efforts, it is unlikely to pressure Russia into agreeing to a ceasefire.

Russia, which has sustained heavy losses since its 2022 invasion, has signalled little willingness to halt military operations unless its territorial and strategic objectives are met. European officials, while sceptical of China’s intentions, acknowledge that Beijing holds significant leverage over Moscow and could play a role in a peace process.

Meanwhile, Vice President JD Vance and senior U.S. officials are heading to Europe for consultations on the conflict, with Vance set to outline Washington’s position at the Munich Security Conference. As diplomatic manoeuvres unfold, concerns persist among European leaders that a U.S.-Russia-China deal could sideline both Kyiv and European interests in shaping Ukraine’s future security.

By Aghakazim Guliyev