After President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin held a telephone conversation earlier this week, Europe responded to vigilance and some degree of distrust. Leaders of various countries have publicly stated that the US cannot launch a direct peace agreement with Putin without including European allies. But what about the great Russian allies? How is China responding to this development, and where is Beijing’s interests in this rapidly changing situation?
Officially, China’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the initiative, and said Beijing was pleased with Russia and the US strengthening communications and dialogue.
“Russia and the United States are both influential countries. China is pleased to see Russia and the United States strengthen communications on a series of international issues,” Gao Jiakun, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said earlier this week. I’m watching,” referring to the Ukraine crisis, he added, “China supports all efforts to encourage a peaceful resolution of the crisis.”
However, Chinese scholars believe Trump is wary of the rush to end the war in Ukraine and is opposed to the “sequential US administration’s hegemony policy of “eternal war.” Many in China believe that with an overture to Putin, Trump is trying to “break” Russia-China’s strategic partnership.
It is not yet known whether Beijing is confident by “dear friend” Putin before Trump’s call. Interestingly, however, while US allies have publicly criticised Trump, none of China has publicly expressed their misfortunes towards the Kremlin. Instead, Chinese media focuses on overestimating European misfortunes.
What the Chinese media is saying
A day after welcoming Trump Putin’s joint initiative, Xinhua Party commentary, signed in the official Chinese Daily in English, underscored Europe’s demands for a role in the Ukrainian peace negotiations. “Several European leaders have argued that they will play a key role in potential Ukraine peace negotiations, and about Trump and Putin standing by after giving a phone talk on Wednesday. We insist on expressing concerns,” China reported.
The official Chinese media outlet said, citing Paula Pingho, the European Commission’s chief spokesman. “The safety of Ukraine is European security. If there is a debate about Ukraine’s safety, Europe is concerned. If there is a debate about European security, it has something to do with Ukraine too.”
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China’s daily commentary ended with emphasising that “as Europe tackles Trump’s evolving attitude towards war, the debate over the continent’s role in shaping peace continues to be strengthened.” It is appropriate to note that.
Many Chinas have notably emphasized Beijing’s own enthusiasm and European demands to be part of future peace negotiations regarding the Ukrainian crisis.
“Why is Trump in a hurry to end the Ukrainian War?”
The West has always maintained it, but it wants to end the war in Ukraine due to concerns about the safety, safety and safety of Ukrainians. It was Trump’s reason, and two broad answers emerged.
First, Trump’s foreign policy approach coincides with the US political elite – “Europe first, after Asia,” but the current administration would be happy that Russia would lose war, The Biden administration completely misjudged the war and its outcome. Russia suffered a major loss, and so did the West. Trump wants to stop this slide right now.
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Second, Chinese commentators used the idiom “Snipe and Crum quarrel, when fishermen acquire” to explain the great strategic advantages China has enjoyed as the war continued. It (China) not only had a great opportunity to strengthen China-Russia relations, but also enjoyed economic benefits. Meanwhile, the US and its European allies have been overburdened over the past three years. “This situation never encourages US ‘strategic competition’ with China, and it must be changed,” Chinese scholars pointed out.
In summary
In Chinese scholars’ opinion, Trump’s strategy is Henry Kissinger’s return to the doctrine of keeping China and Russia (the former Soviet Union) away from each other, saying, “Washington cannot simultaneously oppose Russia and China.” .
To support this theory, they widely cite Alexei Pushkov, president Putin’s advisor and director of the Federal Council Committee on Information Policy. Pshkov laughed at Trump’s comment on the Telegram channel last Thursday that Russia had returned to the group of seven, saying, “By bringing Russia back to the G-8, the US president has made a partnership with Russia’s China.” I hope it will weaken it.”
Reflecting emotions, the well-known Chinese social media blogger wrote: Trump is very clear about this. He repeatedly accused the Biden administration of foolishly squeezing China and Russia together, and vowed to dissolve the Chinese-Russian alliance. ”
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Hemant Adlaka teaches Chinese at Jawaharlalleneur University in New Delhi. He is also an honorary fellow and honorary fellow at the Institute of China Studies (ICS) in Delhi.
