China is currently the European Union’s largest economic partner, and this is well understood and leveraged by Beijing. Ukraine finds itself in a challenging position, having had ineffective diplomacy toward China in previous years. Although a new ambassador has been appointed, much of the work must be built from scratch.
While the Motor Sich issue is formally closed, China remains sensitive to previous investments. Technology transfers towards China are blocked by the US position, making it impossible for Ukraine to maneuver without risking American disapproval. Despite these obstacles, China remains one of Ukraine's top trading partners, though volumes are dwarfed by those with the EU.
The EU regards China as a trade and economic partner, but also as a competitor—particularly to German car manufacturers, who struggle with both US tariffs and China’s aggressive pricing on electric cars. China also poses a political challenge, especially regarding rare earth metals. So far, the EU has not formed a unified approach to this issue due to differing national interests within the Union.
For Ukraine, joining a common European approach to China is crucial for both security and economic reasons. Membership in the EU is also seen as a key guarantee of post-war safety and recovery. China, on the other hand, is interested in participating in the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine, but Kyiv’s official position gives priority to allies who currently support Ukraine.
Experts believe that a resolution to the war depends significantly on China’s role and the normalization of US-China relations, not just pressure on Russia. Ukraine can leverage cooperation with China, especially by inviting Chinese companies to the reconstruction process after the war. However, such cooperation will only succeed with a stronger EU policy toward China and a clear understanding of geopolitical realities. Ukrainian experts emphasize the need for a joint strategy with Europe for effective future relations with China.
