The China-Russia Partnership and the Ukraine War: Aligned but not allied
China and Russia maintain a strategic partnership rooted in shared opposition to the U.S. and liberal democracies, but their relationship is shaped more by pragmatism than trust.
While Putin and Xi declared a “friendship without limits” before Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, China has since avoided repeating the phrase. Their cooperation remains strong, yet historical tensions, diverging priorities, and mutual distrust prevent a formal alliance.
China’s claims of neutrality in the Ukraine war are undermined by its economic and political support for Russia, its selective criticism of Western military aid, and its silence on North Korea’s involvement. Beijing promotes peace rhetoric but does not offer any concrete proposal and provides negligeable humanitarian assistance. Meanwhile, the 2024 North Korea–Russia alliance creates additional challenges, as it contradicts China’s stated positions and risks further destabilizing East Asia, strengthening regional US alliances.
For Europe, expecting China to mediate or distance itself from Russia is unrealistic. Despite significant EU-China trade, Beijing has shown no inclination to influence Putin.
Download the ReConnect China Policy Brief via the project’s website: The China-Russia Partnership and the Ukraine War: Aligned but not allied
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