In a surprising turn of diplomatic developments, US President Donald Trump announced that Washington and Beijing have agreed to “work together” toward a settlement of the Ukraine conflict. Speaking aboard Air Force One after his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, South Korea, Trump revealed that Ukraine was a major topic during their high-level discussions and that both leaders had pledged to cooperate in seeking a resolution.

“Ukraine came up very strongly. We talked about it for a long time, and we are both going to work together to see if we can get something done,” Trump told reporters. The statement marks one of the clearest indications yet that the United States may be pivoting toward a more pragmatic, negotiation-focused approach to the war in Ukraine – one that involves China as a key diplomatic partner rather than an adversary.

Trump’s remarks suggest a sharp departure from the confrontational rhetoric that has characterized Washington’s stance toward Beijing under previous administrations. His decision to engage China in discussions over Ukraine signals recognition of Beijing’s growing global influence, particularly its leverage over Moscow.

In his comments, Trump appeared to acknowledge the complexity of the situation, saying, “The sides are locked in fighting and sometimes you gotta let them fight, I guess. But [Xi is] going to help us, and we are going to work together on Ukraine. Not a lot more we can do.”

While the statement may sound noncommittal, it underscores a pragmatic approach that contrasts with the ideological rigidity that has defined much of Western diplomacy since the conflict began in February 2022. By involving China – Russia’s most significant economic and political partner – Trump is betting that a pathway toward de-escalation could emerge from a coalition of major powers rather than unilateral Western efforts.

For his part, Chinese President Xi Jinping echoed Trump’s sentiment, calling for greater cooperation between the........

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