Retired General Says China Has Power to Pressure Putin Into Ukraine Peace Talks

A retired Slovak general has assessed that China possesses the influence to push Russian President Vladimir Putin toward peace negotiations over Ukraine, though questions remain about Beijing's motivation to do so. Retired General Pavel Macko stated that China has the necessary power to sway Putin but may lack sufficient incentive because the current situation partially serves Chinese interests. Macko explained that while China is a major trading power with strategic interests in global stability, the Ukraine war damages Chinese interests far less than conflicts in regions like the Persian Gulf. He suggested that if China were to pressure Russia, it would likely operate on a quid pro quo basis, seeking concessions in return for diplomatic intervention.