China was positive about the meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, August 15, despite it yielding no immediate deal on a ceasefire in the Ukraine war or a broader peace settlement.
Trump is due to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders at the White House on Monday, August 18, to press Kyiv to make a deal with Russia, which is demanding that land be ceded to Moscow.
Why It Matters
China is a vital strategic partner for Russia and as the dominant and larger partner, holds some influence over Russia's decision-making.
While China has said it plays no role in Russia's war in Ukraine, it has provided Moscow with a major economic lifeline through large-scale oil purchases, helping Russia circumvent Western sanctions.
What To Know
A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated China's position that it supports peace in Ukraine.
"China supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis," the spokesperson, Mao Ning, told a regular press briefing on Monday morning, state media outlet Global Times reported.
"We are glad to see Russia and the United States maintaining contact, improving relations, and promoting the political settlement process of the Ukraine crisis," Mao said in remarks translated from Chinese.
Trump's meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday ended without any agreement on a ceasefire or peace deal, but Trump officials have talked up possible concessions made by the Russians, although details have yet to surface.
Trump's critics have questioned his decision to provide Putin with red-carpet treatment in exchange for seemingly little in the way of concessions. Trump has dismissed the criticism.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is due to meet Trump in Washington, D.C, on Monday to discuss a possible settlement of the war, which Putin launched in February 2022. Several European leaders are due to participate in the meeting.
Mao, commenting on the meeting with Zelensky and European leaders, said: "We expect all parties concerned and stakeholders to take part in the peace talks process at an appropriate time, and to reach as soon as possible a fair, lasting, and binding peace agreement that can be accepted by all parties."
Political analysts have been saying ever since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine that China would be carefully watching the West's reaction to try to gauge the consequences if it were to invade self-ruled Taiwan.
China views Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to "reunify" with the democratic island. Taiwan vehemently opposes China's sovereignty claims.
What People Are Saying
In a post on Truth Social, President Donald Trump said: "President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight."
A Trump critic, Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, referring to the Alaska summit, told NBC News: "It was a failure. Putin got everything he wanted…He was invited to the United States: War criminals are not normally invited to the United States of America."
What Happens Next
Zelensky and several European leaders are due to meet Trump in Washington on Monday.
Update 8/18/2025, 5:42 a.m. ET: This article has been updated to include more information.
