A bombshell report from the Financial Times claims that former US President Donald Trump proposed deploying Chinese peacekeepers to Ukraine. The proposal, reportedly made during a White House meeting last week with European leaders and Ukrainian President Zelensky, suggests stationing Chinese troops in a neutral zone along the extensive frontline between Russian and Ukrainian forces as part of a potential peace deal. This would aim to separate the warring factions and monitor a ceasefire.
However, the Trump administration swiftly refuted the report, calling it entirely false and denying any such discussions ever took place. This denial sharply contrasts with the FT’s account, which cites four sources briefed on the matter. The proposal’s reception was reportedly mixed, with resistance from EU nations and prior rejection by Zelensky himself, who cited China’s perceived inaction in preventing previous conflicts in 2014 and 2022.
The idea of a demilitarized zone patrolled by neutral forces has been discussed previously, with suggestions ranging from Western troops (a notion Moscow strongly opposes) to a neutral peacekeeping force. Earlier reports indicate that US, Ukrainian, and European officials have explored the concept of a demilitarized zone, but the inclusion of Chinese peacekeepers is a significant departure and adds a layer of geopolitical complexity.
China’s official stance remains one of neutrality, calling for an end to hostilities and a sustainable political solution. While Russia has expressed openness to Western security guarantees for Ukraine, it insists any agreement must be supported by permanent UN Security Council members, including China, and must not be one-sided or perceived as containing Russia. Moscow continues to firmly oppose the deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine.
This controversial proposal raises numerous questions. Would China even agree to such a deployment? What would the mandate of these peacekeepers be? How would such a force be structured and funded? The conflicting reports and statements highlight the intricate and often contradictory nature of the ongoing peace negotiations and further underscore the uncertainty surrounding the future of the conflict in Ukraine.
