Are Russia and China allies? Western policymakers must avoid the common mistake of treating Russia and China as one and the same. While the two countries share similar authoritarian practices, world views, and motivations for maintaining a cordial bilateral relationship, their political trajectories and guiding philosophies of foreign affairs are very different. If Western policymakers were to focus on a single problem or single trend, they would end up creating multiple problems.
A close relationship between Russia and China should benefit both countries. But, the two nations are very different. The two countries’ GDP per capita is less than half of that of the United States, and China is less than a third of that. This makes the relationship difficult to judge, and even less likely to lead to mutually beneficial outcomes. As such, strategic patience may be required. Moreover, the future of both countries is very different, and their alliance could be a game changer.
While there are many similarities between the two countries, they are also very different. As such, the Kremlin’s perception of China’s rise is still fluid. The two countries are unlikely to become closer allies, as both sides view the level of cooperation between them as optimal. Therefore, the United States should maintain a more assertive posture in defense of democracy in Ukraine. But, President Biden has publicly stated that no American troops will go to Ukraine to protect the Ukrainian people. In addition, he must go further and act decisively to prevent the Russians from retaliating against the annexation of Crimea.
Russia and China are already allies, but there are also some differences between the two nations. For example, Russia sells arms to Vietnam and India, both of which have territorial disputes with China. It has not supported all of China’s moves in the SouthChina Sea, but they both have an interest in the region because of its commercial significance. Similarly, China and Russia walked a fine line regarding Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014, but it abstained from U.N. resolutions that were aimed at determining the international status of the peninsula.
In recent months, Russia and China have become allies. The two countries share similar political ideologies and are increasingly concerned with each other’s interests. In the South China Sea, they have even disputed territories, which the latter claim. Although, there is no proof that the countries are allies, the relationship is a close partnership. This is true of other areas of cooperation between the two countries, including Ukraine and Taiwan.
Both countries are at an inflection point. While their governments may be ideologically similar, the two countries are not. Both countries are united by their resistance to western liberalization. They both share a common view of the world and reject liberal values. However, they are unable to fully renounce their differences, and both have varying political systems. For example, the US and China are allies if the two governments have shared values.
While the West has limited influence on Russia and China’s relationship, they do exert influence on both countries. The annexation of Crimea in 2014 caused a sharp decline in Moscow’s relations with Western capitals. Both countries began a slow rapprochement and are still close to each other. Both countries maintain cordial ties out of a mutual strategic need. Their economies complement each other. If they are allies, this relationship should be a strong priority for both sides.
In this article, Dr. Barylski examines the complicated relationship between Russia and China. In the book, she discusses the history of the Soviet Union and the relationship between China and Russia. She concludes that the two countries are still allied, despite their differences. And in fact, the U.S. has a lot to learn from Russia. Despite their differences, they do not have much in common.
The Kremlin’s views on China are often contradictory, but the two countries’ relationship is largely beneficial for both. In the world’s largest economy, China has the strongest economic and military ties. But the relationship with its neighbors is not without its risks. In a volatile global context, these countries must stay vigilant and stand firm. And a close alliance can only benefit both countries. If they remain in a state of war, they will become more dependent on one another.