US envoy: China "could end Ukraine war tomorrow" with one call to Putin

US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China is playing a decisive role in sustaining Russia’s war against Ukraine and argued that Beijing could bring the conflict to an end quickly if it chose to act.

Speaking during a panel discussion on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, Whitaker stated that China could “call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow” by halting the supply of dual-use technologies and ceasing purchases of Russian energy resources.

“China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow and cut off his dual-purpose technologies that they’re selling,” Whitaker said. “China could stop buying Russian oil and gas.” He added during the discussion, moderated by Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua, that “this war is being completely enabled by China.”

Since the start of the war, China and Russia have strengthened their strategic partnership, with Moscow relying heavily on Chinese components and parts used in drones and other military equipment. China has also returned to being the largest purchaser of Russian crude oil despite mounting international pressure targeting Moscow’s energy exports.

Shipping data indicate that Chinese ports received about 1.65 million barrels of Russian crude per day in January — the highest level since March 2024 and the second-largest monthly volume since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

At the same time, Beijing has repeatedly said it seeks to play a “constructive” role in resolving the conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Munich earlier this week and offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine as it continues to face Russian strikes on its energy infrastructure, according to statements released by both sides.

The Munich Security Conference, running from Friday through Sunday, has brought together global leaders to discuss foreign policy and international security. Among those attending are US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Whitaker shared the panel stage with two potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 US presidential election — Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Other prominent Democratic figures, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, also attended the conference, aiming to reassure European partners of continued US commitment to the transatlantic alliance amid concerns over President Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach.

“The Democratic Party is here for our allies,” Ocasio-Cortez said, adding that most Americans remain committed to maintaining strong partnerships abroad. Whitmer acknowledged that tensions — including trade disputes and Trump’s pressure campaign regarding Greenland — had strained trust between the US and Europe, but argued the damage was not irreversible. “It will take time to rebuild but I’m confident that we’ll do that,” she said.

Whitaker, appointed NATO envoy by Trump, concluded that the alliance is now “stronger than ever,” attributing this to US pressure on allies to increase defence spending. “The United States of America keeps showing up, and we will keep showing up. We just expect our allies to be equally as strong,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova