By Solange Reyner | Saturday, 01 November 2025 02:02 PM EDT
U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matt Whitaker asserted that Chinese President Xi Jinping holds significant influence over the outcome of the war in Ukraine, suggesting Beijing could act as a “game changer” by pressuring Russia to seek peace. Whitaker highlighted China’s economic and technological ties to Moscow, noting that the country’s procurement of Russian oil and provision of dual-use electronics for drones deployed on the battlefield underscore its strategic leverage.
Whitaker expressed optimism about former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Xi Jinping, stating that Trump’s discussions indicated a potential willingness by Beijing to engage in the peace process. “Having more actors at the table to apply pressure on [Russian President] Vladimir Putin could alter his calculations,” Whitaker said during an appearance on Newsmax’s “Saturday Report.”
He emphasized that public opposition from China to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could dramatically shift Moscow’s strategic perspective. “If China starts to speak out against the war and its aggressive actions, it could be a game changer,” he added.
Trump met with Xi Jinping in South Korea this week, where the two leaders discussed Ukraine. Trump told reporters they had “talked about it for a long time” and pledged collaboration to address the conflict. “We agreed the sides are locked in, and they are fighting… But he’s going to help us, and we’re going to work together on Ukraine,” Trump said aboard Air Force One.
