While America blocks, China proposes. Xi Jinping presents his Middle East peace plan in four points: peaceful coexistence, national sovereignty, international law, and development without security threats. Sounds reasonable on paper — but when Beijing talks about international law, one has to wonder if they mean the same law they're ignoring in the South China Sea.

The proposal was presented during a meeting with Abu Dhabi's crown prince — which is no coincidence. China is building bridges with the Gulf while America builds blockades. Two strategies, two worlds, one and the same oil.

Meanwhile, China's exit is complicated by uncertainty and the conflict's impact on energy and supply chains. But Beijing is protected — it has oil reserves and diversified energy sources. While Europe is scrambling for alternatives, China prepared them long ago.

Next month, a Trump-Xi summit is scheduled in Beijing. Two men who don't like each other but need one another. In the Balkans, we know these meetings well — handshakes for the cameras, while behind closed doors they negotiate who pays how much. The only question this time is how much will be left on the table.