Trump Seeks China’s Support to Pressure Russia to End Ukraine War During Asia Trip

US President Donald Trump is using his Asia trip—covering Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea—to seek China’s support in pressuring Russia and pursuing ways to end the Ukraine war.

“US President Donald Trump expressed a desire for China to assist the US in its dealings with Russia during a press briefing aboard Air Force One”

The Independent

A planned meeting with Xi Jinping is central to this effort.

The Independent

Western Mainstream fakti.bg reports that Trump plans to discuss with Chinese leader Xi Jinping ways to end the war in Ukraine, while noting China’s neutrality and continued trade with Moscow.

Asian outlet Firstpost describes the tour as Trump’s first and longest since taking office and says he wants China’s help in managing tense US-Russia relations, setting expectations for modest outcomes.

The ‘Other’ outlet Военное дело emphasizes the goal more bluntly, stating Trump wants China to play a role in pressuring Russia.

Western Alternative UPI adds a contrasting angle, noting that Trump is prioritizing his own schedule over multilateral forums, even as counterparts seek tariff relief and he publicizes the trip on Truth Social.

There are competing portrayals of which forums and locales will dominate the visit.

Western Mainstream fakti.bg and Asian Firstpost highlight Trump’s participation in the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur and meetings with leaders in Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea.

Al-Jazeera Net

By contrast, Asian outlet dynamitenews reports Trump will attend the APEC summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, while also noting Xi is on his longest foreign tour and that a Trump–Xi meeting is expected during the ASEAN summit.

UPI, meanwhile, downplays forum specifics and focuses on Trump’s personalized agenda, suggesting a less multilateral orientation to the trip.

Policy aims also diverge across narratives.

“The article discusses renewed international engagement and increased unity among European leaders, alongside Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, in supporting Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia”

El Mundo

Firstpost (Asian) says the visit targets trade, investment, and ceasefire agreements amid the Ukraine war and Israel-Gaza ceasefire.

It adds that talks with Xi may yield modest trade compromises.

fakti.bg (Western Mainstream) stresses Trump's hope that China will assist despite its neutrality and ongoing trade with Moscow.

UPI (Western Alternative) adds that other parties want tariff relief and that Trump is highlighting the trip via Truth Social.

The 'Other' outlet Военное дело captures the core ask succinctly: Trump wants China to help pressure Russia on Ukraine.

Pressure on Moscow is also cast through the lens of sanctions.

The Independent (Western Mainstream) reports new U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil and a wider pledge by over 20 countries to phase out Russian oil and gas.

upi

The UK steps up missile support and grid protection for Ukraine.

Военное дело (Other) mirrors the sanctions detail on Rosneft and Lukoil.

fakti.bg (Western Mainstream) adds Trump’s line that sanctions are strong and will not provoke escalation from Putin.

Together, these accounts present sanctions as a key lever Trump wants China to complement with diplomatic pressure.

Beyond Ukraine, the agenda broadens.

“US President Donald Trump said on Friday (October 24) he wants China’s help in managing Washington’s tense relations with Moscow, as he embarked on a five-day trip to Asia — his first to the region and the longest since taking office”

Firstpost

Asian sources Firstpost and dynamitenews say Trump will raise Taiwan and the jailing of Hong Kong activist Jimmy Lai.

Firstpost

Dynamitenews adds he is prepared to meet Kim Jong Un.

The Independent (Western Mainstream) places this trip within a turbulent diplomatic backdrop that includes stalled ceasefire talks and even a postponed Trump–Putin summit.

UPI (Western Alternative) highlights how Trump is messaging the trip at home, including endorsements for roughly two dozen U.S. candidates, underlining a domestic political overlay to the foreign tour.