Donald Trump has said he would like China to help deal with Russia as he seeks to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
I'd like China to help us out with Russia, the US president said on board Air Force One, as he flew to Asia for a whirlwind tour, where he will meet China's Xi Jinping in South Korea.
However, it could be wishful thinking, as China is Russia's most significant ally and has provided essential support to Moscow since the onset of Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine.
Trump's remarks come on the heels of a grim week for Kyiv, marked by the US refusing to supply it with Tomahawk cruise missiles and EU leaders not releasing frozen Russian assets to assist in its defense, amidst increasing violence with deadlier strikes reported.
Efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war have become a growing focus for Trump, whose attempts at a ceasefire have yielded limited results despite his campaign promises for quick solutions. His August summit with Putin did not produce any significant outcomes, leading to his rising frustration.
Every time I speak to Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don't go anywhere, Trump stated.
This week, Trump revealed new sanctions against Russia's two leading oil companies, marking the first direct punitive measures his administration has executed over the conflict. The impact of these sanctions remains uncertain, with the Kremlin claiming it is immune to such actions.
While Trump's anticipated meeting with Xi is expected to address the tense trade relations between the US and China, he noted that he would discuss a range of topics, including the war in Ukraine.
I'd like to see China help us out [with Russia]. I have a very good relationship... with President Xi. Very good, he asserted, adding that Xi has an interest in seeing the conflict conclude.
Earlier, Trump suggested that the Chinese president could exert considerable influence over Putin.
It is important to note that Beijing has never denounced Russia's actions in Ukraine and has faced accusations from the US and its allies of aiding Russia via its oil purchases and the ongoing supply of dual-use materials, which serve both civilian and military purposes.
The close ties between Russia and China were showcased last month when leaders Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong Un met in Beijing, demonstrating their solidarity and military unity.
As Trump spoke on Air Force One, emergency responders in Ukraine were actively dealing with Russian strikes in locations including Kyiv, where casualties occurred, echoing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's call for allied support amid the escalating turmoil.
No country should be left alone in the face of such evil, he expressed on Telegram, reiterating the critical need for stronger assistance from Ukraine's allies.
In the meantime, in Russia's Belgorod region, residents were urged to evacuate due to damage sustained by a Ukrainian strike on a local dam, which posed a risk of flooding.
