China said it hopes all those with a stake in the Russia-Ukraine war would play a role in the peace negotiations, as U.S. President Donald Trump prepares for a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday.
Why It Matters
China is a vital strategic partner of Russia’s and, as the dominant and larger partner, holds influence over Moscow’s decision-making.
While China has said it plays no role in Russia’s war in Ukraine, Beijing has provided Russia with a major economic lifeline through large-scale oil purchases, helping Moscow to circumvent Western sanctions.
What To Know
The Trump-Putin summit will discuss the control of land in Ukraine, swathes of which Russia has seized during the course of its full-scale invasion, launched in February 2022. Trump is trying to broker an end to the war.
Kyiv and its European allies have urged Trump not to agree to any concessions of Ukrainian land to Russia, saying such decisions are Ukraine’s alone to make, and warned against what they said is rewarding Moscow’s illegal aggression.
At a daily press briefing on Tuesday, August 12, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian was asked about Trump and Putin’s decision to hold a summit without inviting any representatives from Ukraine or the European Union.
“China supports all efforts conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis, and is glad to see Russia and the U.S. keep in contact, improve their relations and advance the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis,” Lin said.
“We hope all parties concerned and stakeholders will take part in the negotiation process in due course and reach a fair, lasting and binding peace agreement acceptable to parties concerned at an early date.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9, 2025.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on May 9, 2025.
Contributor/Getty Images
Russia said it invaded Ukraine to defend its national security, citing Kyiv’s ambitions to join the NATO alliance, and to protect the rights of ethnic Russians that it said were facing persecution.
Kyiv and its Western allies accuse Russia of an imperial war of conquest that has sought to take control of Ukraine by force so it can eradicate Ukrainian sovereignty and wipe out its national identity and culture.
With the exception of Hungary, EU leaders issued a joint statement on Tuesday appealing to Trump not to make any decisions without Ukraine, or outside of a ceasefire, and to take into consideration the potential impact on European security.
“A just and lasting peace that brings stability and security must respect international law, including the principles of independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and that international borders must not be changed by force,” the statement said.
“The people of Ukraine must have the freedom to decide their future. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine. Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.”
Russia controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory, concentrated in the east, and much of it captured since February 2022. European allies fear Russia has broader goals and, unless it feels more pressure, could try to peel off land elsewhere on the continent.
What People Are Saying
The joint EU statement said: “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has wider implications for European and international security. We share the conviction that a diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s and Europe’s vital security interests.”
President Donald Trump said on Monday: “There’ll be some land swapping going on,” adding that this would involve “some bad stuff for both” Russia and Ukraine.
What Happens Next
The Trump-Putin summit in Alaska takes place on Friday. Meanwhile, fighting continues along the front lines between Russia and Ukraine.
Update 8/12/25, 9:12 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.