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Danielle Popov

US President Donald Trump’s parting shot in his explosive meeting with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky last week was: “This is going to be great television.”
But for Ukrainians living in China and watching their country battle Russia, it was painful and outrageous.
Tensions escalated last Friday as the Trump team criticised Zelensky for wearing battle fatigues to the Oval Office meeting and accused him of a lack of gratitude for American support as his country fought Russia.
Julia, a 36-year-old from central Ukraine working as a sourcing manager in Shanghai, was left outraged.
“That was the most shameful behaviour ever displayed towards anyone at that high level,” she said.
The Ukrainian people did not owe gratitude to the US after Kyiv agreed to give up its nuclear weapons in 1994 based on American-backed assurances of territorial sovereignty, she added.
“Now, we are enduring three years of full-scale war – Ukraine is Europe, what is good for Europe is good for us,” said Julia, who chose not to give her surname.
Many Ukrainians in China, who are mostly students or contract workers living in major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Harbin and Hong Kong, share that respect for Ukraine’s top leadership in these challenging times.
“As a Ukrainian, I have immense respect for our president and the leadership he has shown,” Julia said.
Others echoed her sentiments, expressing their sadness over the blatant disrespect shown to a leader “fighting for his nation’s survival”.
“It is painful to witness such disrespect,” said another Ukrainian living and working in Shanghai who did not wish to be identified.
On Tuesday, Zelensky acknowledged on social media that the meeting did not go as intended. “It is regrettable that it happened this way. It is time to make things right,” he posted.
A day earlier, the Trump administration had paused all US military aid to Ukraine.


In Beijing on Wednesday, China’s special envoy for European affairs Lu Shaye said the way Trump was treating allies across the Atlantic was “quite appalling”, and that a peace deal for Ukraine should not be determined only by the US and Russia.
“I believe European friends should reflect on this and compare the Trump administration’s policies with those of the Chinese government,” Lu said. “In doing so, they will see that China’s diplomatic approach emphasises peace, friendship, goodwill and win-win cooperation.”
Ukrainians in China expect Beijing to play a role in restoring peace to their country while still maintaining its neutrality. China is a close strategic partner of Russia – which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Julia suggested that China could share some of its scientific and medical resources with Ukraine, for example rehabilitating Ukrainian soldiers and sharing information technology expertise.
“It should be possible without contributing directly to the war effort, and maintaining its strategic neutrality,” she said.
Others shared ways in which China could foster cultural exchanges with Ukraine that would allow the Chinese people to learn more about the history of the former Soviet state.
“It’s important to work towards fostering strong cultural ties and to learn about Ukrainian history,” Julia said.
Alex, a 37-year-old quality assurance manager from Dnipro now based in Shanghai – who also did not wish to give his surname – said China might be preoccupied with countering Trump’s tariffs war, with 20 per cent duties imposed so far on US imports of Chinese goods.
But the use of drones in the Ukraine war might be offering Beijing lessons on unmanned warfare, he added.
“I think they’ll have their hands full with the coming trade war to focus too much on Ukraine. I think that China is learning a lot about drone warfare that is occurring in Ukraine.”


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Ukraine war

‘Shameful’: Ukrainians in China react to Trump spat with Zelensky, want Beijing to do more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky departs the White House after a breakdown in talks with US President Donald Trump and a cancellation of the planned joint press conference, in Washington on February 28. Photo: EPA-EFE

Why China could capitalise on Trump-Zelensky showdown as rift emerges in the West

Friday’s meeting between US President Donald Trump (right) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (left) at the White House signals a major shift in Washington’s position on the Ukraine war, according to analysts. Photo: Ukrainian Presidency/dpa

Ditched by the US, Europe must consider a ‘common home’ with Russia

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer (centre) hosts the European leaders’ summit to discuss Ukraine, at Lancaster House, London, on March 2. Photo: AP

Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron meet at the funeral service of former French president Jacques Chirac, at the Saint Sulpice de la Madeleine Church in Paris, on September 30, 2019. Photo: Kremlin/dpa

A man walks in front of an office with an electronic panel displaying currency exchange rates against the Russian rouble, in Moscow, on February 6. Photo: EPA-EFE

‘Next-level urgency’: EU leaders spring into action as reality of US pivot to Russia hits

On March 5, days after the infamous Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting in Washington, activists unfurl a large banner in support of Ukraine outside the European Council building in Brussels. Photo: AP

Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office on February 28 in a historic encounter that raises questions for US allies in Europe and around the world. Photo: AFP via Getty Images/TNS

Ex-Ukraine foreign minister predicts China is ‘main beneficiary’ of Trump foreign policy

Dmytro Kuleba, former foreign minister of Ukraine, said “everyone saw that the United States do not consider themselves as an ally of Ukraine and Europe any more” following the fiery Zelensky-Trump-Vance meeting last week. Photo: dpa

Vance takes jab at Zelensky for ‘needling’ Trump during White House fracas

US President Donald Trump and his deputy J.D. Vance (right) have a testy exchange with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky (left) at the White House on February 28. Photo: Getty Images/TNS


News

China

Diplomacy

Ukrainians voice shock and sadness over the lack of respect shown to the leader of a nation at war, suggest ways China could help


Ukrainians voice shock and sadness over the lack of respect shown to the leader of a nation at war, suggest ways China could help.
