Trump reports Xi warned Putin could regret Ukraine invasion amid Beijing summit
Markets rally as diplomatic talks begin, but claims regarding Xi’s comments on Putin and cooperation against the ICC rely solely on Trump’s account without independent verification
US President Donald Trump has reported that Chinese President Xi Jinping indicated Russian President Vladimir Putin might regret the invasion of Ukraine, according to a report by the Financial Times. The remarks were made during a two-day summit in Beijing that commenced on 14 May 2026, where Trump arrived accompanied by a delegation of major technology executives.
In addition to the comments regarding the Ukraine conflict, Trump suggested that he and Xi should co-operate with Putin against the International Criminal Court (ICC). The ICC is an international judicial body responsible for prosecuting individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. This proposal outlines a significant diplomatic stance, although the nature and extent of such cooperation remain unclear.
The accuracy of these claims relies entirely on President Trump’s account of the conversation. There is no independent verification from Chinese officials regarding Xi Jinping’s exact words or intent. The report distinguishes between a casual remark and a formal policy stance, noting that no formal agreement or policy has been announced regarding the proposed co-operation against the ICC.
The summit takes place amidst broader geopolitical tensions involving trade, artificial intelligence, and Iran. Market participants reacted positively to the commencement of talks, with US stock markets rising on Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.8 per cent, the S&P 500 rose 0.3 per cent, and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.2 per cent.
Nvidia shares also surged more than 2 per cent following US approval of a specific context that was truncated in the source material. These market movements occurred alongside the diplomatic developments, reflecting investor sentiment as the two leaders engaged in discussions on multiple fronts.
The report comes against a backdrop of recent security incidents involving President Trump, including an FBI probe into a suspected hate crime at a San Diego mosque and an investigation into the US press gala shooting suspect. Federal investigators have confirmed the gunman at the gala intended to assassinate Trump and top officials, leading to increased scrutiny of security protocols.
As the summit continues, the diplomatic landscape remains complex. The claims attributed to President Xi must be viewed through the lens of Trump’s reporting, with the full transcript or detailed reporting from the Financial Times not yet available for independent analysis.
