Improvement in Sino-Russian-American relations reported by Xi - China reports progress in Russia-America diplomatic ties under Xi's leadership
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine continues to be a focal point in international relations, with recent developments suggesting cautious movement towards dialogue, albeit without substantive breakthroughs.
Russia-U.S. relations remain strained but are experiencing some diplomatic activity. Notably, a highly anticipated meeting between President Trump and President Putin is set to take place in Alaska, scheduled for August 8, 2025. This meeting may indicate a softening of Russia’s territorial demands in Ukraine, potentially limiting them to the Donetsk region, although details remain unclear. The absence of Ukraine from these discussions, however, raises concerns about the legitimacy and outcomes of the talks, especially since Ukraine currently controls part of the Donetsk region.
Despite Trump’s initial campaign promise to end the war in Ukraine, his administration has continued to support Ukraine militarily and financially, with threats of more sanctions against Russia becoming reality. However, some policy shifts have occurred, such as the suspension of U.S. offensive cyber operations against Russia and a controversial vote in the U.N. siding with Russia under Trump’s second presidency.
Regarding China, the geopolitical context shows China's involvement in global affairs through trade and diplomacy, but no explicit mention was found about China mediating or resolving the Ukraine war in the recent period or in relation to the Trump-Putin summit. China presents itself as neutral in the Ukraine conflict, with Beijing always "supporting peace and the promotion of dialogue." President Xi Jinping expressed his support for a "long-term solution" to the Ukraine conflict during a phone call with Putin, but no recent developments indicate substantive Chinese mediation efforts.
The U.S. administration suggested the meeting between Trump and Putin, which is expected to take place "in the coming days." The Kremlin confirmed the imminent meeting, with Putin requesting a phone call with Xi, which was confirmed by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV and the Kremlin on Friday. The U.S. administration and CCTV both reported on the phone call between Putin and Xi Jinping.
It is important to note that China and Russia have been expanding their strategic relations in recent years. The last meeting between Trump and Putin was in June 2019 on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan. As of early August 2025, a ten-day ultimatum set by Trump for an end to Russian attacks on Ukraine is set to expire on Friday.
In conclusion, the ongoing Ukraine conflict continues to be a significant issue in international relations. While recent developments suggest some movement towards dialogue, substantive breakthroughs remain elusive. The upcoming meeting between Trump and Putin, as well as Xi’s expressed support for a long-term solution, may provide opportunities for progress, but the absence of Ukraine from discussions and the lack of clear Chinese mediation efforts raise concerns about the legitimacy and outcomes of these talks.
Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump are scheduled to meet on August 8, 2025, in Alaska, which could potentially indicate a softening of Russia's territorial demands in Ukraine. Meanwhile, China, under President Xi Jinping, has expressed support for a long-term solution to the Ukraine conflict but has not made any recent efforts to mediate or resolve the conflict, presenting itself as neutral. These diplomatic meetings and expressions of support form part of the ongoing discussions surrounding the war and conflicts, policy and legislation, politics, and general news involving Russia, the US, China, Ukraine, and international relations.
