From Dw · · 2m
Trilateral Ukraine talks: What's in it for China?
China's role in Russia-US Ukraine talks: symbolic partner or strategic ally?
In brief
China's role in Russia-US Ukraine talks: symbolic partner or strategic ally? China may attend Russia-US trilateral talks without Ukraine but won't push for territorial concessions or force Ukraine's inclusion. Originally reported by Dw.
Trump administration pushes Ukraine talks
US President Donald Trump's administration increased diplomatic pressure on Kyiv and European partners to revive stalled negotiations ending Russia's war in Ukraine.
Kremlin plans technical Ukraine talks
Moscow agreed to hold technical negotiations with Ukraine next month after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg on November 21.
Putin seeks trilateral summit with China
Putin agreed to resume peace talks mediated by Washington after November 10, with next round potentially in Abu Dhabi focusing on post-war security for Russia and Ukraine.
China prepares for trilateral meeting
Chinese officials indicated they would not object to a three-way summit involving Russia, the United States, and China but excluding Ukraine and the European Union.
Putin's Yalta reference
Putin compared the proposed Shenzhen meeting to the 1945 Yalta Conference where leaders discussed postwar Europe after defeating Nazi Germany.
China's symbolic role
Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center researcher Temur Umarov said China would participate as a symbolic partner, not an active mediator, with no direct interest in Ukraine's future.
China's flexible language
Umarov explained China would seek vague language in any joint statement to allow Beijing to present any war development as consistent with the summit agreement.
Russia's strategic interests
Mercator Institute researcher Yurii Poita argued China and Russia share strategic interests in reducing Western military presence in Europe and weakening NATO's influence.
Putin's political survival
Michael Kimmage, director of the Kennan Institute, said China prioritizes Vladimir Putin's political survival over direct involvement in ending the Ukraine war.
Europe's influence
Kimmage noted European financial and defense support for Ukraine has given them leverage to counter Russia's claims of European weakness in negotiations.
Ukraine's agency
Umarov emphasized Ukraine's agency in the conflict, stating that diplomatic agreements between the US, Russia, and China would not determine battlefield outcomes without Ukraine's involvement.
The takeaway
China may attend Russia-US trilateral talks without Ukraine but won't push for territorial concessions or force Ukraine's inclusion.
