Donald Trump and Xi Jinping. Photo: Susan Walsh / AP
According to the Chinese edition of the Global Times, the main goal of the US administration is to normalise relations with Russia. This would allow Washington to focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Chinese analysts quoted by CNN are considering the idea of a strategic gap between Moscow and Beijing, but there is no clear conclusion.
Washington’s geopolitical manoeuvres
The talks between Moscow and Washington, as well as Donald Trump’s statements, indicate that resolving the Ukrainian crisis is not a top US priority, the Global Times writes. Instead, the Biden administration or a potential Trump administration seems to be seeking to use the situation to improve ties with the Kremlin and reduce its own involvement in the conflict.
This assessment came after the first talks between US and Russian representatives in Riyadh, as well as after Trump’s harsh statements about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to Chinese analyst Cui Hongjian, the high-level talks and Trump’s subsequent comments show that the main goal of the United States is to urgently resume dialogue with Russia. He notes that ending the war in Ukraine is only a means of demonstrating goodwill, and that easing relations with Moscow will help Washington refocus its attention on Asia.
Will Ukraine become a bargaining chip?
According to Chinese expert Liu Xiang, the United States is trying to find a way to quickly end the conflict in Ukraine, minimising the role of Europe and Kyiv, as their involvement could complicate the negotiation process. This may mean that Washington will try to put pressure on Ukraine and its allies to accept conditions that may be favourable to Russia.
The Chinese factor and strategic concerns
Since the beginning of the war, China has consistently advocated a political solution to the conflict, supporting the idea of peace talks. At a meeting of the UN Security Council, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said that Beijing supports any efforts that contribute to peace.
However, according to CNN, Beijing is in a difficult situation, as it is not directly involved in the negotiations and has limited influence on their progress. For Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russia’s support is strategically important, as it helps to create a balance of power in the confrontation with the West.
Will the US succeed in splitting the Moscow-Beijing axis?
Some experts believe that even a hint of a change in Russia’s foreign policy orientation could be a bargaining chip for the United States. If China decides to conduct a military operation against Taiwan, Beijing will have to think about how Russia will behave. This could deter potential Chinese actions.
However, most analysts doubt that the United States will be able to destroy the close relationship between Moscow and Beijing. Yu Bin, a senior fellow at the Centre for Russian Studies in Shanghai, believes that ties between Russia and China are extremely strong and have a deep institutional foundation.
