As Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year, Europe Faces Hard Truth On China

(Zoriana Stepanenko and Reid Standish – RFE/RL) Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western policymakers have debated whether diplomatic pressure and sanctions could persuade China to curb its support for Moscow. But as the war enters its fifth year, China’s support has deepened, providing Russia with a vital economic lifeline through energy purchases, critical minerals for drone production, and a steady flow of dual-use goods such as microelectronics and industrial equipment, senior European officials told RFE/RL. “That’s why we have a constant dialogue with the Chinese to point them toward this unavoidable point,” said an EU diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity. Officials and analysts who spoke to RFE/RL say China has stopped short of providing direct military aid but has steadily expanded economic, technological, and diplomatic cooperation with Moscow. That deepening relationship, they said, is likely to grow further this year and has made efforts by European governments to influence Beijing increasingly difficult. – As Ukraine War Enters Fifth Year, Europe Faces Hard Truth On China