US President Donald Trump on Monday described Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin as "neutral" during the war with Iran, saying they did not hinder his efforts to curb Tehran's nuclear ambitions, Reuters reported.
"I just want to thank them because they made the situation a lot easier," Trump said after the adoption of a ceasefire agreement in the conflict.
Speaking at a news conference during the Group of Seven summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, Trump told reporters he was grateful to the leaders for not interfering in the conflict.
"I want to thank China, President Xi. I was with him and he remained neutral, completely neutral, 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," Trump said.
Trump's statements were at odds with his comments about US allies, from Japan to Europe, whom he criticized for not helping with the military operation or subsequent efforts to clear the Strait of Hormuz, a maritime trade route blocked by Iran, according to Reuters.
Moscow and Beijing maintain close ties with Tehran. Russia has said that a war could lead to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East.
Beijing has denounced Washington's attacks on Tehran as a flagrant violation of the country's sovereignty. U.S. intelligence officials believe Beijing has been supplying Tehran with goods that could have military uses, according to people familiar with the matter. Independent Chinese oil refiners have been the main buyers of Iranian oil during the conflict, despite U.S. sanctions.
However, Trump said Xi helped resolve the conflict and avoided sending "big weapons" or shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles.
"They could have sent an oil tanker with six destroyers on each side. They didn't. President Xi helped me. He tried to help and I think he probably helped get this resolved," Trump said.
In a statement, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington said Beijing's position had been "consistent" and that China had "worked tirelessly to end the fighting and establish peace."
The Russian Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters.
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