Washington: US President Donald Trump has embarked on a pivotal Asia tour, aiming to forge diplomatic alliances, with a key focus on enlisting China’s support to rein in Russian President Vladimir Putin amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Speaking to reporters before boarding Air Force One, Trump revealed his intent to discuss the war with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their scheduled meeting. “We’ve imposed massive, tough sanctions on Russia, and they’ll hit hard. But if China steps in, we can achieve better outcomes,” Trump asserted.
The US leader’s itinerary includes Malaysia for the ASEAN Summit, Japan, and South Korea for the APEC Summit in Busan, where he will also meet South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.
Beyond the Russia-Ukraine war, Trump is expected to address US-China trade tensions, hinting that Chinese cooperation could pave new paths for peace in Ukraine. The tour underscores Trump’s dual strategy of strengthening ties with Asian nations while countering Russia’s military actions, despite Western sanctions failing to halt Moscow’s advances after over two years of conflict.
Adding intrigue, Kirill Dmitriev, Putin’s special envoy, claimed that Moscow, Washington, and Kyiv are nearing a diplomatic resolution to end the war. However, fresh US sanctions on Russia’s oil sector have heightened tensions, casting a shadow over these talks. Trump’s audacious outreach to China represents a significant diplomatic risk, with global ramifications at stake.