China Ukraine stance

Despite international pressure, Beijing-Moscow security ties have strengthened since 2022 – but pointedly in areas away from the Eastern European theater.

How these fighters are recruited, why they joined, and what it means for China’s role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict – and global security in general.

Zelenskyy claims that Kyiv has information on at least 155 Chinese citizens fighting with the Russian forces in eastern Ukraine.

Whatever the U.S. intentions, the outcome of the Russia-U.S. dialogue would be beneficial for China.

Decision-makers in Beijing expect that Trump’s brutal pressure will bring Europe closer to China and, on the face of it, this would make sense. But a full-fledged détente between the EU and China is unlikely. 

The two leaders discussed at length the recent developments in Russia-U.S. relations, a sign that such talks will not impact China and Russia’s close partnership.

The U.S. and China are both effectively pushing Ukraine back into Russia’s sphere of influence – but Beijing’s approach suddenly looks more reasonable in comparison.

While China-Russia relations have certainly gotten closer since the 1990s, recent indicators may point to strains.

Beijing hopes to benefit from tensions created by the Trump administration, but China will have to change its own approach to capitalize. 

Insights from Vita Golod.

A carefully managed continuation of the war against Ukraine, by contrast, benefits China in asserting its global leadership.

For both India and China, positioning themselves as successful peacemakers is not just about resolving the Ukraine crisis; it’s also about enhancing their global credibility as emergent powers.