China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on July 3 that Beijing cannot afford a Russian defeat in the Ukraine war, according to the South China Morning Post, which cited sources familiar with the exchange.
Wang’s remarks highlight China’s broader strategic calculations, with some analysts interpreting the ongoing conflict as a useful distraction from Beijing’s increasing military posture toward Taiwan. A weakened Russia, Wang allegedly warned, could prompt the U.S. to redirect its strategic attention more heavily toward countering China.
Throughout the conflict, China has emerged as a crucial supporter of Moscow, assisting in circumventing Western sanctions and supplying dual-use goods that bolster Russia’s military capabilities.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump—despite pledging to end the war between Russia and Ukraine—has yet to secure a ceasefire and continues to frame China as America’s primary geopolitical rival, keeping Washington’s focus locked on Beijing.
In June, Bloomberg reported that President Trump has scaled back efforts to pressure China over its support for Russia’s war in Ukraine, opting instead to prioritize other elements of the U.S.-China relationship. According to the report, the administration has downgraded the Ukraine conflict on its list of foreign policy priorities, choosing to focus more on bilateral matters with Beijing—though a policy shift remains possible.
The South China Morning Post noted that EU officials were surprised by the bluntness of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s reported remarks, especially given Beijing’s prior public support for a negotiated peace. Two individuals familiar with the meeting said they believed Wang was offering EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas a dose of realpolitik during their four-hour discussion.
Wang also reportedly denied Western accusations on July 3 that China has been providing military and financial assistance to support Moscow’s war in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has, however, accused Beijing of aiding Russia’s military effort. In a May 29 statement, Zelensky claimed that China had halted drone sales to Ukraine and the West while continuing to supply drones to Russia.
Wang’s remarks come at a time when U.S. military support for Ukraine—Kyiv’s primary defense partner—is showing signs of weakening. On July 1, the U.S. Department of Defense announced a pause in the delivery of critical weapons systems to Ukraine, including Patriot air defense systems and precision-guided munitions.
Meanwhile, ties between Moscow and Beijing continue to deepen. Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping this September in China during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit.
