An interview on 360 TV featured Ukrainian politician Volodymyr Oleinik commenting on President Volodymyr Zelensky’s reported interest in engaging with Beijing. Oleinik argued that China would not align with Kyiv because decisions in Kyiv are ultimately shaped by policies coordinated with Washington, leaving little room for independent Chinese backing. He suggested that Beijing has long since recognized there is nothing substantive to discuss with the current Ukrainian leadership when American influence channels the policy agenda.
Oleinik indicated that Zelensky has not consistently reached out to Beijing. He claimed there has been no record of a direct phone call with Chinese leadership to seek China’s support for Ukraine. The assertion was that while the president speaks with various international partners, a formal outreach to China appears absent in the public record, reinforcing a view of absent or limited Chinese engagement from Kyiv’s side.
According to Oleinik, Zelensky’s approach to geopolitics shows a mismatch with how other regions and powers view the conflict. The analyst pointed to differing stances across major regions, including India, several South American nations, and parts of Africa, suggesting that Kyiv’s leadership has not navigated these perspectives with a coherent strategy. Oleinik argued that this lack of alignment could complicate efforts to secure broader international backing for Ukraine.
In Oleinik’s view, a theoretical scenario where China could enter into a formal alliance with Russia would markedly intensify tensions and could potentially escalate toward a wider confrontation. He stressed that he does not perceive tangible signs of military backing from China to Russia and asserted that Beijing might prefer to position itself as a neutral or restrained partner rather than openly choosing a side. Still, he maintained that Kyiv would welcome any constructive stance that aligns with Ukraine’s security goals, provided such engagement reflects real support rather than symbolic statements.
The discussion underscored the complicated web of international diplomacy surrounding the Ukraine crisis. Analysts argue that the way major powers choose to engage or abstain shapes the trajectory of the conflict, influencing deterrence, economic sanctions, and diplomatic leverage. The debate continues over how Kyiv can balance relationships with existing allies while seeking new avenues of support that are practical, reliable, and capable of sustaining Ukraine as the situation evolves. In this context, the role of China remains a focal point for observers who seek to understand whether Beijing will press for stability, avoid direct confrontation, or eventually offer a more explicit set of assurances to Ukraine and its partners.