The China Factor in Russia’s War in Ukraine
China appears to have growing concerns about Russia’s war in Ukraine. Although China is not prepared to abandon its partnership with Russia, Western leaders should aim to ensure that China’s support for Russia remains limited. They should also seek China’s support in dissuading Russia from using nuclear weapons, argues Brian G. Carlson in this CSS Policy Perspective.
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, September 16, 2022. Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Pool via Reuters
Key Points
- Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged in September that China has “questions and concerns” about the war in Ukraine.
- China values its partnership with Russia and is not prepared to abandon it, but the West should seek to ensure that China’s support for Russia remains limited.
- The United States and its allies should seek to limit near-term tensions with China over Taiwan, both to avoid stimulating increased Chinese support for Russia’s war effort and to avoid the outbreak of war with China while Russia’s war in Ukraine continues to rage.
- China is unlikely to apply pressure on Russia to end the war, but Western leaders should urge China to call on Russia not to use nuclear weapons.