Executive summary:
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.
Moving forward, the EU must adopt a firm and clear-sighted approach in its dialogue with China:
- Reaffirm Core Principles – The EU must consistently stress the fundamental importance of upholding the UN Charter, Ukraine’s sovereignty, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the direct security risks for Europe.
- Expose China’s Double Standards – Brussels must challenge Beijing’s self-proclaimed neutrality and call out its contradictions, demanding that China refrain from criticizing countries that legally support Ukraine while tacitly backing an illegal aggressor.
- Adopt a Holistic Strategy – The EU must avoid compartmentalizing its relationship with China. Instead of treating the war in Ukraine separately from other political and trade matters, Brussels should pursue a holistic approach, integrating security, political, and economic considerations—just as China does in its own diplomatic strategy.
Stay tuned with us by reading more: Reconnect China Policy Brief 20-China-Russia Partnership