Turkey and China could act as potential mediators in future Ukraine peace negotiations if the United States reduces its involvement, Polish Minister of Foreign Affairs Radoslaw Sikorski said on May 8.

Speaking on the sidelines of a EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Warsaw, Sikorski noted that while Washington remains Kyiv’s principal ally, alternatives must be considered should the US step back.

"There is Turkey, which maintains channels of communication. And then, above all, there is the People's Republic of China, which, more than anyone else, has the means to make (Russian President Vladimir) Putin come to the negotiating table and soften his demands," Sikorski said as cited by The Kyiv Independent.

Turkey has previously hosted Russia-Ukraine talks in the 2022 Istanbul peace deal that came close to ending the war in Ukraine after only one month. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has positioned himself as a neutral interlocutor despite maintaining military ties with both sides.

China has not condemned Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine but has called for a negotiated settlement with a 12-point peace plan on the anniversary of the start of the war. The plan received a muted response from Western governments but was welcomed by Moscow.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is currently in Moscow to attend the 80^th anniversary celebration of the end of WWII and to reaffirm China’s backing of Russia in its clash with the West.

Xi met with Putin on May 8 and reaffirmed the two country’s “no limits” partnership, saying they remain “friends of steel.” The leaders hailed their countries' relationship on May 8, vowing to increase cooperation in all areas, including military ties.

Sikorski’s remarks come amid growing concerns in Europe about the continuity of American military and financial support to Ukraine, particularly ahead of the US presidential election in November. While President Joe Biden’s administration has reaffirmed its backing for Kyiv, some Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition to further aid.

The ceasefire talks that kicked off in Riyadh on February 18 have largely stalled as neither side is willing to compromise. Bankova (Ukraine’s equivalent of the Kremlin) unconditionally accepted US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in March, but while Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed in principle to a stillstand, he included a raft of conditions and did not agree to the halt in hostilities until these conditions are met that include significant sanctions relief. The EU and Kyiv rejected Putin’s proposals and came back with a counter proposal at the end of April that starts with a complete ceasefire before any negotiations on the other points like territory can be discussed.

The US is becoming impatient with the slow progress and is ready to “walk away” from the talks, US Vice President JD Vance told Fox News on May 8, if Russia negotiates in bad faith.

Trump had a “constructive” call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy the same day and has softened his position on Ukraine since the mineral deal was agreed on April 31, but is also still seen as being soft on Russia, applying little pressure to push the Kremlin into making more compromises.

Trump repeated calls for an “unconditional ceasefire” on May 8 and re-committed to “securing peace” between Ukraine and Russia. Writing on Truth Social, Trump expressed his hope for "an acceptable ceasefire," with both countries "held accountable for respecting the sanctity of... direct negotiations."

The gathering of 24 international leaders in Moscow for the Victor Day parade underscores the growing fragmentation between the two warring clans. Putin has invited leaders from the Global South, most of whom made the trip, including, controversially, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Serbian President Aleksander Vucic. Xi is the guest of honour. Putin’s show of unity stands in contrast to the growing fragmentation amongst the Western allies, especially in the context of the US cooling ardour for continued support of Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.

Poland, a Nato member bordering Ukraine, has been one of the most vocal European advocates for a robust response to Russian aggression. Sikorski’s comments suggest a growing recognition among European leaders that strategic alternatives may be needed if transatlantic unity continues to weaken.

China has maintained high-level contact with both Moscow and Kyiv but has also dispatched special envoys to European capitals to discuss possible scenarios to end the war. There have also been active behind-the-scenes talks between Russia, China and the US in Beijing in recent months.

Speaking in Warsaw, Sikorski said that while peace talks were not imminent, “we must be prepared for all scenarios, including diplomatic ones.”