- US President Donald Trump denied a Financial Times report that Chinese President Xi Jinping told him Vladimir Putin would "regret" invading Ukraine.
- China's foreign ministry also rejected the claim, with Beijing publicly stating Xi never made the remark.
- The denial underscores the sensitivity of the China-Russia relationship as Moscow remains heavily dependent on Beijing amid sanctions.
The diplomatic drama unfolded on Tuesday when the Financial Times reported that Xi had made the warning during recent talks in Beijing. Trump, speaking to reporters, dismissed the account outright, saying Xi "never said that." Beijing's foreign ministry echoed the denial, calling the report inaccurate.
The conflicting narratives highlight the delicate balance in the U.S.-China-Russia triangle. Russia has grown increasingly reliant on China for trade, finance, and strategic support since its invasion of Ukraine, making any suggestion of private criticism from Xi politically explosive. A person familiar with the matter said both sides are keen to avoid undermining the perception of a strong Sino-Russian partnership.
For Ukraine and its allies, the report—if true—would have signaled potential pressure on Putin from his closest major partner. The denial, however, reinforces skepticism about back-channel diplomacy and the reliability of politically charged leaks.
Market reaction was muted, but traders in defense and energy sectors briefly noted the headline before the denials tempered sentiment. Analysts warn that such episodes could become more common as the U.S. and China compete over Ukraine policy and Taiwan.
In a related development, Putin continues to engage Beijing, underscoring the durability of their alignment even as the war stretches into its third year. The episode serves as a reminder of how carefully Beijing balances support for Moscow against its own global ambitions.
Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the location of the talks. The discussions took place in Beijing, not Washington.