Donald Trump has said he would like China's help to deal with Russia as he seeks to bring an end to the war in Ukraine.
I'd like China to help us out with Russia, the US president said on board Air Force One, as he flew to Asia for a whirlwind tour, where he will meet China's Xi Jinping in South Korea.
It could be wishful thinking, however. China is Russia's biggest ally, and a vital support to Moscow since Western sanctions were imposed over its war in Ukraine.
Trump's comments come off the back of a difficult week for Kyiv, with the US refusing to provide Tomahawk cruise missiles and EU leaders not releasing frozen Russian cash to fund Ukrainian defense.
Ending the Russia-Ukraine war has become a focal point for Trump in recent months, with a ceasefire deal eluding him despite his campaign promises. A previous summit with Putin yielded no tangible results, intensifying Trump's frustration with Moscow.
While Trump's meeting with Xi is expected to focus on trade relations, Trump expressed hope that discussions would also cover the conflict in Ukraine. I'd like to see China help us out [with Russia]. I have a very good relationship with President Xi, very good, he stated.
Beijing has never criticized Russia's actions, which has contributed to skepticism about whether China would be willing to assist. Nonetheless, Trump remains optimistic about Xi's potential influence over Putin.
As Trump made his comments, Ukraine faced new military strikes, particularly in Kyiv, resulting in casualties and widespread destruction. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated the need for international support in the face of Russian aggression.
