China stands to be the primary beneficiary of U.S. President Donald Trump’s evolving foreign policy, particularly his alignment with Russia over Ukraine, according to former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. In a recent interview, Kuleba expressed concerns over Washington’s diminishing support for Ukraine and Europe, signaling a potential geopolitical shift that could empower Beijing.
Speaking days after a tense exchange between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House, Kuleba highlighted what he called the U.S.’s formalized departure from its role as Ukraine’s ally. “I’m not surprised by the fact, but I’m surprised by how quickly this fact was exposed and literally formalized,” Kuleba stated. His comments come after Trump halted military aid to Ukraine, with reports suggesting the U.S. would only resume support if Kyiv committed to peace.
During the fiery Oval Office meeting, Trump reportedly admonished Zelensky for his reluctance to accept U.S. peace proposals, warning that Ukraine was “gambling with World War III.” The Ukrainian leader was subsequently asked to leave without securing an agreement on critical minerals or renewed U.S. support for his country.
Kuleba described the incident as “an attack not only on President Zelensky himself, but on the country that he represents.” He warned that Trump’s policies—marked by disengagement from traditional alliances and withdrawal from aid programs—would ultimately push Europe closer to China.
According to Kuleba, Trump’s apparent attempt to drive a wedge between Russia and China, a move some analysts have dubbed a “reverse Nixon,” is unlikely to succeed. He argued that for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump represents only a temporary phase in U.S. foreign policy, whereas China remains a long-term strategic partner.
“The United States is aligned with Russia for now… maybe for different reasons, but the visions of President Trump and President Putin are aligned,” Kuleba noted. He further predicted that China, by positioning itself as a stable and willing global partner, will gain favor among countries looking for alternatives to U.S. support.
As reported by the South China Morning Post, Kuleba emphasized that nations affected by Washington’s withdrawal from international engagements, including Ukraine, would increasingly turn to China and the European Union for financial and diplomatic support. With U.S. agencies like USAID facing cuts, he anticipates a growing reliance on Beijing.
“This realignment is inevitable,” Kuleba asserted, suggesting that China’s measured diplomatic approach would eventually attract more countries. While Beijing has consistently maintained neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, its strategic patience could allow it to emerge as a more influential global power.
Despite concerns about China’s ties to Russia, Kuleba noted that Ukraine has been careful not to alienate Beijing due to its potential leverage over Moscow. However, public sentiment in Ukraine remains largely negative toward China, with a Razumkov Centre poll indicating that 72.5% of Ukrainians hold unfavorable views of Beijing.
Ultimately, Kuleba believes that China’s role in the global order is set to expand, particularly if the U.S. continues its retreat from multilateralism. “If China can help achieve peace, of course, you will see a dramatic shift in Ukraine’s public opinion,” he concluded. For now, however, Ukraine’s relationship with China remains in flux, awaiting Beijing’s next move.
