Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in Beijing that China and President Xi Jinping could play a meaningful role in ending Russia's war in Ukraine by influencing Vladimir Putin and reducing cooperation as leverage. Xi told Orpo that China and Finland should defend a U.N.-centred international order and promote a multipolar world based on economic globalisation. The exchange highlights Beijing's potential diplomatic influence on the conflict.
Finland PM Says Xi, China Could Help End Russia’s War In Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo shake hands at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China January 27, 2026. China Daily via REUTERS
HELSINKI/BEIJING, Jan 27 — Speaking in Beijing on Tuesday, Finland's Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said that China and President Xi Jinping have an opportunity to help bring an end to Russia's war in Ukraine by exerting influence on President Vladimir Putin and by scaling back bilateral cooperation where appropriate.
Orpo told reporters he believes China's leverage with Moscow could be used to push for de-escalation and political steps toward ending the conflict. He framed reduced cooperation as one form of diplomatic pressure that Beijing could employ.
Earlier the same day, President Xi told Orpo that China and Finland should uphold a U.N.-centred international system and work to advance a multipolar world underpinned by economic globalisation. Xi’s remarks emphasised multilateral institutions and international economic ties as stabilising forces.
Context: The comments underscore the diplomatic role Beijing could play in the Ukraine conflict and highlight Finland’s efforts to engage major powers on security and global order.
Reporting by Essi Lehto; editing by Terje Solsvik.
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