Despite their on-again-off-again differences over the years, China and Russia are, for the most part, ideological soulmates. And as the two most powerful founding members of BRICS, they are on a shared journey toward what they hope will be both political and economic world dominance.

In fact, a classified EU report in May concluded that, since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, China has been responsible for “approximately 80 percent” of the circumventions of international sanctions against Russia . . . thus, even if indirectly, helping to finance Putin’s illegal war of attrition. [Rikard Jozwiak, RFE/RL, July 12, 2025.]

But despite evidence to the contrary, Chinese President Xi Jinping has publicly remained neutral when asked for his thoughts about the war, claiming that China respects the territorial integrity of Ukraine, while also recognizing Russia’s security concerns.

Now, however, sitting on that political fence may be starting to chafe a bit. During a lengthy meeting in Brussels last week between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Wang voiced Beijing’s objections to the EU’s charges that Russia has been using Chinese products in its attack on Ukraine . . . and admitted that Beijing fears potential Western sanctions against Chinese financial institutions. Wang is also said to have stated that Beijing could not accept a defeat of Russia in the war, because it would leave Washington free to focus on China. [Id.]

Wow! Just . . . wow!

So let’s see if I have this straight: It’s in Xi’s best interests to help Putin keep the war going, in order to continue directing Trump’s principal focus toward Russia. But if Xi does that, he risks both U.S. and EU sanctions that could seriously affect his country’s economy. And that, in turn, might force him to reduce his financial assistance to his friend in the Kremlin, which would have . . . to say the least . . . a deleterious effect on their friendship.

If I’m right, that puts Xi Jinping in — to borrow the words of my precocious, then-three-year-old granddaughter — a very precarious position.

I know one thing for certain: In these circumstances, I wouldn’t want to be in Xi’s shoes.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
7/14/25