Ukraine issue could end up on margins of U.S.-China talks, diplomat says
A meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is an event that shapes the global agenda. At the same time, Russia’s war against Ukraine is unlikely to be a central topic in the negotiations between Washington and Beijing. The main focus will instead be on the economy, tariffs, technology, and global trade.
This opinion was expressed by diplomat and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine Oleh Shamshur during Ihor Dolhov’s Program.
“In my view, the central issue is undoubtedly the economy,” Shamshur stressed.
He noted that the United States and China will seek to reach new agreements on tariffs and trade after several years of economic confrontation. According to the diplomat, Washington is interested in expanding exports of American agricultural products, energy resources, and Boeing aircraft to China.
Artificial intelligence and China’s access to American technologies may also become separate topics of discussion.
At the same time, Shamshur believes that even if Ukraine is raised during the talks, it will not play a decisive role.
“First of all, I haven’t seen this issue in any list or analysis of topics that may be discussed. And I also believe that even if it is raised, it will clearly remain on the margins,” the diplomat said.
Shamshur also pointed out that the Trump administration is currently focused primarily on domestic economic challenges and stabilizing the U.S. economy.
“Security issues are also not currently in Trump’s focus. He is trying to reach an agreement with China, first and foremost on issues related to the economy,” he noted.
The diplomat also commented on the balance of power ahead of the meeting between the U.S. and Chinese leaders. According to him, an international consensus is emerging that Beijing is approaching the talks from a stronger position.
Shamshur recalled that Trump’s tariff pressure on China failed to produce the expected results, while Beijing demonstrated its ability to respond firmly to economic restrictions, particularly through control over rare earth metals and critical minerals.
“Trump believed he could bring China to its knees. But we now understand that China had prepared for this,” the diplomat stated.
Among the political issues that may be discussed during the negotiations, Shamshur mentioned Iran and Taiwan. According to him, the Taiwan issue remains one of the most sensitive in relations between Washington and Beijing.
At the same time, the diplomat cautioned against inflated expectations regarding the global outcome of the meeting.
“Ukraine should not expect anything. Likewise, the world should not expect any global decisions or results from this meeting that would shake the world,” Shamshur concluded.
As reported by Ukrinform, Trump arrived in China on May 13 for a three-day state visit, during which he planned to discuss trade relations, energy cooperation, Taiwan, and other bilateral issues with Xi Jinping, as well as major international developments, including the war in Iran and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
On May 14, Xi Jinping and Donald Trump held talks in Beijing, where they discussed the situation in the Middle East, the Korean Peninsula, and Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Later, Trump stated that his talks with Xi Jinping in Beijing “went excellently.”