October 25, 2025
Donald Trump has expressed hope. He believes China can play a role in encouraging Russia. The aim is to engage in peace talks to end the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking aboard Air Force One en route to Asia, the U.S. president said he plans to discuss the matter with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Their meeting will take place in South Korea.
“I’d like China to help us out with Russia,” Trump told reporters. “I have a very good relationship with President Xi. Very good. I think he also wants to see this war end.”
However, analysts note that Trump’s optimism will face significant challenges. China has remained a critical ally for Moscow. This has been the case since Western sanctions were imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Beijing continues to purchase Russian oil. It also provides materials that can serve both civilian and military purposes. These are claims it has consistently denied.
A Difficult Week for Ukraine
Trump’s remarks come after a particularly hard week for Kyiv. The U.S. declined to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles. European Union leaders delayed a decision on releasing frozen Russian assets for Ukraine’s defense. Renewed Russian airstrikes claimed several lives across Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Ending the Russia-Ukraine war has become one of Trump’s top foreign policy priorities. However, his attempts to broker a ceasefire have so far fallen short. His August summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin produced no tangible progress, leaving Washington increasingly frustrated.
“Every time I speak to Vladimir, we have good conversations, and then nothing happens,” Trump said earlier this week.
On Wednesday, the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies. It was the first direct economic measure against Moscow since the war began. The Kremlin dismissed the move, calling Russia “immune” to U.S. sanctions.
China’s Influence on Moscow
Trump’s upcoming meeting with Xi is expected to focus primarily on trade relations. He confirmed that the Ukraine conflict will also be on the agenda.
Earlier in the week, Trump suggested that Xi exert significant influence over Putin. He cited the close relationship between the two leaders.
Beijing and Moscow have described their partnership as a “friendship without limits.” Their ties were showcased last month. Putin, Xi, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un met in Beijing. This was a high-profile display of unity and military cooperation.
Continued Violence in Ukraine
As Trump made his comments, Ukrainian emergency crews were responding to the aftermath of Russian strikes in Kyiv, which President Volodymyr Zelensky said killed several people and caused extensive damage.
“No country should face such evil alone,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram, urging allies to increase support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, in Russia’s Belgorod region, authorities ordered residents near a dam to evacuate. This followed a Ukrainian strike that damaged a local reservoir. The incident raised fears of potential flooding.
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