In recent statements, President Donald Trump highlighted Chinese President Xi Jinping’s potential influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. This remark comes just before a scheduled meeting between the leaders of the United States and China in South Korea.
Trump expressed confidence in Xi’s ability to impact Putin’s decisions, referring to Xi as a “respected man” and a “strong leader” of a significant nation. He noted, “I think he can have a big influence on Putin,” adding that discussions regarding Russia and Ukraine would be a key topic during the upcoming meeting.
Despite his optimism about Xi’s role, Trump has faced challenges in his interactions with Putin. He conveyed a sense of frustration, indicating that although his conversations with the Russian leader have been constructive, they have not resulted in tangible progress. “Every time I speak with Vladimir, I have good conversations, and then they don’t go anywhere,” Trump remarked.
Recently, Trump was scheduled to meet with Putin in Hungary but canceled the summit, expressing concerns about having what he termed a “wasted meeting.” His administration has been engaged in efforts to facilitate an end to the conflict, which has persisted for over three years, through direct talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin.
While Trump has taken steps to shift the longstanding Western approach of isolating Putin, he has struggled to translate these discussions into a solid peace agreement. The diplomatic landscape remains complex, with the international community closely monitoring developments as leaders prepare for critical meetings in the coming weeks.