US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G20 Summit in Osaka, Japan (June 28, 2019). Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
February 13, 2025
In a surprising move, China has reportedly proposed a high-stakes summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump to help bring an end to the ongoing Ukraine war. According to a report by the Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials have been quietly working behind the scenes to facilitate this meeting, aiming to kickstart peacekeeping efforts once a truce is achieved.
What’s the Plan?
Citing sources in Beijing and Washington, the report reveals that Chinese officials have been in touch with Trump’s team through intermediaries in recent weeks. The goal? To organize a summit between the two leaders and lay the groundwork for peace talks after a potential ceasefire.
While China’s foreign ministry has yet to comment on the proposal, Trump himself has hinted at progress. In a statement on Wednesday (February 12), he mentioned that both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy expressed a desire for peace during separate phone calls with him. Trump has since directed top US officials to begin discussions on ending the conflict.
A Meeting in the Works?
The Kremlin has confirmed that Putin and Trump have agreed to meet, with Putin extending an invitation for Trump to visit Moscow. Trump, however, suggested that their first meeting would “probably” take place in Saudi Arabia.
The Stakes Are High
The Ukraine war, now nearing its third anniversary, has seen no formal peace talks since its early months. Under Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, the US provided billions in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine but maintained no direct contact with Putin following Russia’s invasion.
Currently, Russia controls about one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory and insists that Kyiv cede more land and adopt permanent neutrality as part of any peace deal. Ukraine, on the other hand, demands a full Russian withdrawal and seeks NATO membership or equivalent security guarantees to prevent future aggression.
China’s Role in the Conflict
China has faced repeated calls from Western nations to leverage its close ties with Russia to help end the war. While Beijing maintains that it is not a party to the conflict, it has consistently advocated for peace talks on its own terms. Last year, China, alongside Brazil, proposed an international peace conference “at a proper time,” emphasizing the need for equal participation from both Ukraine and Russia.
Will This Summit Happen?
While the proposal is still in its early stages, the idea of a Putin-Trump summit has sparked cautious optimism. Could this be the breakthrough needed to end one of the most devastating conflicts of our time? Only time will tell.
What are your thoughts on this proposed summit? Do you think it could lead to a lasting peace? Share your views in the comments below!