Chinese President Xi Jinping has told US President Donald Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin may eventually regret his decision to invade Ukraine, according to a report from the Financial Times. The remarks were made during wide-ranging talks between the US and Chinese delegations in Beijing last week, where Xi and Trump discussed a variety of global issues, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the activities of the International Criminal Court.
The report comes just hours before Putin is scheduled to arrive in Beijing for a two-day summit with Xi, highlighting the delicate diplomatic balancing act China is performing between its strategic partnership with Russia and its economic ties with the United States. According to sources familiar with the US assessment of the summit, Xi’s comments were unusually candid and suggested that the Chinese leader recognizes the potential long-term consequences of Russia's military actions.
During the talks, Trump reportedly suggested that the three leaders should cooperate against the International Criminal Court, but Xi’s focus remained on the Ukraine conflict. One person aware of the Chinese president’s previous meetings with former US President Joe Biden noted that while Xi had always been frank on Russia and Ukraine, he had never before offered such a personal assessment of Putin and his war.
Putin’s Visit to Beijing: Strategic Partnership on Display
Putin’s upcoming visit to Beijing, scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, comes just days after Trump departed the Chinese capital. The Kremlin has described the trip as carrying “very serious expectations” for the development of the privileged partnership between Russia and China. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the two sides would use the summit to deepen their strategic cooperation across a range of issues, including national unity and protection of sovereignty.
In a video address ahead of his departure, Putin emphasized that relations between Russia and China have reached an “unprecedented level” of mutual understanding and trust. He stated that the countries are ready to support each other on issues affecting their core interests, such as the protection of sovereignty and national unity. The Russian delegation will include relevant deputy prime ministers, government ministers, and company heads, underscoring the breadth of topics to be discussed.
One key item on the agenda is the proposed Power of Siberia 2 gas pipeline, which could deliver an additional 50 billion cubic metres of gas per year from Russia’s Arctic fields via Mongolia to China. This project is seen as a critical component of Russia’s strategy to diversify its energy exports away from Europe, which has imposed sanctions in response to the Ukraine invasion.
War Continues: Russian Strikes and Ukrainian Resistance
As diplomatic maneuvers unfold, the war in Ukraine continues to exact a heavy toll. Russian forces launched 524 drones and 22 ballistic and cruise missiles in overnight attacks targeting eight regions of Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. The city of Dnipro and its surrounding region bore the brunt of the assault, with dozens of civilians injured, including three children.
Ukrainian air defense units managed to shoot down or neutralize 503 drones and four missiles, but the scale of the attack underscores Russia’s relentless campaign. The barrage followed a recent escalation in long-range strikes, including a missile attack on a Kyiv apartment building that killed 24 people, among them three children. That incident prompted US President Trump to suggest that such attacks could set back peace efforts.
In response, Kremlin spokesman Peskov said attention should be paid to ongoing strikes by Ukraine on civilian targets in Russia. Moscow faced its biggest drone attack in over a year at the weekend, with at least three people killed in the wider region around the capital. The cycle of violence shows no sign of abating, despite US diplomatic efforts to broker a ceasefire.
Belarus Joins Russia in Nuclear Drills
In a further escalation, Belarus announced on Monday that it had launched joint drills with Russia to practice the use of nuclear weapons. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Putin, has allowed Russia to deploy tactical nuclear weapons on its territory. The drills involve missile units and warplanes, with the Belarusian defense ministry stating that they are intended to train forces in the delivery of nuclear weapons and preparations for their use.
Kyiv condemned the exercises, calling them an “unprecedented challenge” to global security. The Ukrainian foreign ministry warned that by turning Belarus into a nuclear staging ground near NATO borders, the Kremlin is legitimizing the proliferation of nuclear weapons and setting a dangerous precedent for other authoritarian regimes.
Ukraine Peace Process at a Standstill
Moscow has indicated that the Russia-Ukraine peace process is currently paused but expects it to resume at some point. Peskov made the comments in response to Trump’s suggestion that the deadly Russian strike on the Kyiv apartment building had delayed peace efforts. Peskov countered that the focus should be on Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil.
There is no sign that a peace deal is taking shape, despite repeated US diplomatic initiatives. The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and massive destruction. Ukraine continues to defend its territory with Western military aid, while Russia relies on its vast arsenal and strategic partnerships with countries like China and Belarus.
International Reactions and Sanctions
The international community remains divided. At a meeting of G7 finance ministers in Paris, Ukraine’s Finance Minister Serhii Marchenko called for increased sanctions against Russia. He also expressed hope that the first disbursement from a previously agreed 90 billion euro EU loan would arrive in early June. The G7 ministers are discussing the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, as well as economic cooperation.
Turkey, meanwhile, has been identified as a potential influencer in both conflicts. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Turkey has the “potential to exert considerable influence” on the wars in Ukraine and Iran, given its geographical proximity and political significance. He called for stronger strategic ties between Turkey and the European Union.
Human Cost: Stories from the Frontline
Beyond the headlines, the war continues to claim personal tragedies. On Thursday, a Russian missile strike flattened a residential building in Kyiv, killing 24 people, including a young couple who had hoped to start a family. Maryna Homeniuk, a 24-year-old English teacher, and her partner Yurii Orlov, a floorball team captain, were among the victims. Their friends and family paid final respects over the weekend, highlighting the human cost of the conflict.
In another case, former British soldier Hayden Davies, who was captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Davies, who served in the British Army for 12 years, said he feels abandoned by the UK government. The Foreign Office stated it is in contact with his family and providing consular support.
Energy and Economic Dimensions
The war has also reshaped global energy markets. Russia’s reliance on China as an energy partner has deepened, with the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline being a key project. However, the pipeline’s future remains uncertain amid geopolitical tensions. Additionally, Ukraine has accused US companies of involvement in Russian attempts to export grain from occupied Crimea, a charge that could further complicate US-Ukraine relations.
The situation at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest, is also deteriorating. The head of Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom warned that the situation is rapidly reaching a “point of no return,” blaming Ukrainian attacks. The plant has been under Russian control since 2022 and continues to pose a serious safety risk.
As Putin prepares to meet Xi in Beijing, the world watches to see whether China can leverage its influence to de-escalate the conflict. Xi’s reported comments to Trump suggest a degree of concern about Russia’s strategic overreach, but China has so far maintained a stance of neutrality, calling for peace talks while deepening economic ties with Moscow. The outcome of this week’s summit could have far-reaching implications for the war in Ukraine and the broader global order.
Source: MSN News