In a significant diplomatic pivot, U.S. President Donald Trump is now seeking the assistance of Chinese President Xi Jinping to broker peace in Ukraine. This strategic shift follows the cancellation of Trump’s planned bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump expressed frustration over the lack of progress in previous discussions with Putin, noting that despite generally good conversations, they have not yielded tangible results toward ending the conflict.
The White House officially confirmed the cancellation, citing the absence of substantial breakthroughs on peace initiatives. Looking ahead to his own upcoming meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea, Trump conveyed his belief that the Chinese leader, whom he described as a ‘respected man’ and ‘very strong leader,’ could exert considerable influence over Moscow. Trump anticipates that discussions regarding Russia and Ukraine will be a key topic of conversation with Xi, suggesting that China’s leverage could be instrumental in bringing about a cessation of hostilities.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury has escalated pressure on Russia’s war financing by imposing new sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, the nation’s leading oil corporations. These measures are designed to curtail the Kremlin’s ability to fund its military operations and support its struggling economy. The Treasury stated its commitment to a peaceful resolution and emphasized that Russia’s willingness to negotiate in good faith is paramount for a lasting peace. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent underscored the administration’s resolve, stating that further actions will be taken if necessary, given Putin’s continued refusal to end the ‘senseless war.’
Separately, President Trump also mentioned that India is set to cease its purchases of Russian oil by year’s end, citing a productive conversation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This statement follows a previous claim by Trump regarding a similar promise from PM Modi, a claim that was subsequently clarified by India’s Ministry of External Affairs.