The Trump administration has rejected claims that it supports Chinese peacekeepers in a proposed neutral zone being discussed in peace talks between Ukraine and Russia. Both nations are still searching for a way to end the ongoing war.
The Financial Times first reported that President Donald Trump considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s idea of inviting China to provide peacekeepers. However, a senior administration official told Newsweek that there has been “no discussion” of this proposal.
“President Trump and his national security team continue to engage with Russian and Ukrainian officials towards a bilateral meeting to stop the killing and end the war,” the official told Newsweek. “As many world leaders have stated, this war would have never happened if President Trump was in office. There was no discussion of Chinese peacekeepers. It is not in the national interest to further negotiate these issues publicly.”
Trump and top officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have been in talks with Russian and Ukrainian representatives over the past six months. Their goal has been to push Russia to end its invasion and to create a framework for peace.
The president has pointed to his past diplomatic achievements, such as the Abraham Accords, as proof of his ability to negotiate. He has repeatedly said he could secure peace between Ukraine and Russia. Still, the past six months have shown that the situation is more complex than expected.
This month, Trump met Putin in Alaska for direct talks on security and peace terms. He also held meetings with Ukrainian officials and has expressed hope for a joint session between the two nations, possibly involving the U.S. as well.
Reports from Politico and the Financial Times indicate that European officials suggested creating a neutral zone on the Russia-Ukraine border. Russia welcomed the idea, though the U.S. is not directly involved in those discussions. Such a zone would require peacekeepers, but Ukraine has made it clear it will not accept Chinese forces because of Beijing’s close ties with Moscow.
China has been accused of backing Russia by buying its energy and, according to Ukraine, supplying weapons and technology to help its military. Earlier proposals from Russia also included giving Ukraine a NATO-like security guarantee, but with veto powers held by members of the U.N. Security Council, including Russia and China. Ukraine rejected that plan, and President Volodymyr Zelensky has ruled out any role for China in the peace process.
“First, China did not help us stop this war from the beginning. Second, China helped Russia by opening the drone market,” Zelensky said earlier this month. “They did nothing when Crimea was occupied. That is why we do not need guarantors who did not help us when we needed it most.”
Instead, Ukraine has shown some interest in Turkey’s involvement in a peacekeeping role, and Turkey has expressed willingness to help.
Earlier this month, the Chinese Mission to the United Nations posted on X: “Since 1990, 24 Chinese peacekeepers have made the ultimate sacrifice for global peace. Today, China is the largest troop contributor among the P5 and the 2nd largest funder of #UNpeacekeeping missions.”
President Trump also commented on the situation on Truth Social. He wrote: “President Zelenskyy of Ukraine can end the war with Russia almost immediately, if he wants to, or he can continue to fight. Remember how it started. No getting back Obama given Crimea (12 years ago, without a shot being fired!), and NO GOING INTO NATO BY Ukraine. Some things never change!!!”
Days later, he added: “It is very hard, if not impossible, to win a war without attacking an invader’s country. It’s like a great team in sports that has a fantastic defense, but is not allowed to play offense. There is no chance of winning! It is like that with Ukraine and Russia. Crooked and grossly incompetent Joe Biden would not let Ukraine FIGHT BACK, only DEFEND. How did that work out? Regardless, this is a war that would have NEVER happened if I were President—ZERO CHANCE. Interesting times ahead!!! President DJT.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, said: “We have no interest in territories. We have the biggest territory on Earth. What we are concerned about (unlike those who raise the issue of invasion, taking more & more land) is the people who live on those lands.”
