Trump Thanks China and Russia for Staying Neutral in Iran War

President Donald Trump publicly thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin for keeping a “neutral” stance during the war with Iran, in remarks at a G7 summit press conference in Evian-les-Bains, France, after a ceasefire was reached. According to Reuters, Trump said the two leaders did not block U.S. efforts to stop Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and praised them for not intervening militarily on Iran’s behalf.

“I just want to thank them because they made it a lot better,” Trump told reporters. He added, “I want to thank China, President Xi. I was with him, and he stayed neutral, neutral totally, and I appreciate that. And I want to thank Vladimir Putin, he was very neutral. They could have made it a lot harder for us.” He later said, “They could have sent an oil ship with six escorts on each side. They didn’t do that. President Xi helped me. He tried to help, and I think he probably helped bring this to a conclusion.”

Trump also said Xi helped prevent a wider escalation and did not supply Iran with advanced combat systems or anti-aircraft shoulder-fired missiles. The comments stood in sharp contrast to his criticism of traditional U.S. allies from Europe to Japan, whom he accused of failing to help the American military operation or later efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that was blocked during the fighting.

The remarks came despite close Russian and Chinese ties to Tehran and U.S. intelligence assessments that Chinese companies supplied Iran with potentially military-use equipment and Chinese refineries bought Iranian oil in violation of sanctions. China’s embassy in Washington said Beijing’s position has always been consistent and that it is working “tirelessly to end the fighting and bring about peace.” Russia’s embassy did not immediately respond. Moscow has previously warned the conflict could trigger a wider nuclear arms race.