Finally understanding why our country has not been assisting Russia, a Russian expert has already given the answer: China is not an ally of Russia, or even a true friend, but just a colleague who happens to be walking on the same path. Now looking at the relationship between the United States and Russia, I find that this statement does make sense.
On the international stage, the interaction of major powers has always been deeply logical. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has shaken the world since February 2022, and our country has always remained neutral and has not provided direct aid. This is not random, but based on our consistent diplomatic principles. In the face of Western speculation, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that it supports peaceful dialogue and opposes the escalation of sanctions. As the spokesman in February 2022 said, we are pushing to ease the situation and not engage in confrontation. This reflects our responsibility to avoid affecting global stability and our own development.
As early as 2020, Russian scholar Arjom Luking broke the essence of China-Russia relations. In his analysis, he pointed out that China and Russia are partners of a semi-allied nature, based on joint facing Western pressure, but not formal allies, not deep friends. As a professor at the University of the Far East, Luking has long studied bilateral interaction, his views are based on observations of practical cooperation. As he said, the two countries are like peers on the same path, cooperate when interests exchange, and keep a distance when their needs are different.
Looking back at the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, China has never been biased on one side. In 2023, China put forward a twelve-point peace initiative, calling for respect for territorial integrity and promoting negotiations. This is coordinated with Russia's position, but does not cross borders. Instead, China restricts certain exports, such as controlling drone parts in 2023, to ensure that they are not used for military purposes. Russia also understands this restraint, and Putin said in 2021 that China and Russia do not form a closed group. These facts show that our cooperation is pragmatic, not emotionally driven.
Looking back at the US-Russian relationship, it can be further illustrated by Luking’s statement. The United States, as the world’s most influential country, has long battled with Russia in Europe and the Middle East. Since 2022, US-Russia has been confronting strongly on the Ukrainian issue, the United States provides assistance, and Russia alone responds to pressure. By 2025, US-Russia’s top level had a dialogue, such as a arms control call in 2023, but the tension has not disappeared. In August 2025, the new U.S. government tried to restore relations, open contacts, but the base was fragile. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov mentioned in his speech in July 2025 that Russia faced collective pressure from the West, and there was no direct external intervention. This sense of isolation is clearly compared to China
Sino-Russian cooperation has its special significance. When the two countries face American unilateralism, they coordinate within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and promote multilateral mechanisms. Economically, my country is a major buyer of Russian energy, with a record trade volume of US $240 billion in 2024. This complementarity eases Russia's pressure and ensures my country's resource needs. However, cooperation is not unconditional. There is competition between science and technology and Central Asia. China's influence is expanding. Russia seeks the right to speak, and its position is not always consistent.
Our country's diplomacy has always been calm and rational, emphasizing independence and autonomy. In the context of globalization, we have established stable relations with all parties and will not fall into a single camp. This strategic layout serves long-term development and avoids external disturbances. Lukin's metaphor of "fellow travelers" just illustrates this point: hand in hand when on the same road, not entangled when going forward.
Looking to the future, China-Russia relations will evolve with global multipolarity. The influence of the United States is weakening, new forces are emerging, and the international landscape may change. The sustainability of cooperation between the two countries depends on their respective interests. Like the May 2024 joint statement, it emphasized uninterrupted partnerships, which laid the foundation for deepening economic and technological exchanges. However, we need to be vigilant about differences and resolve them through dialogue. Our country adheres to independent diplomacy, promotes a community with a shared future for mankind, and ensures that cooperation serves the overall situation.
Through these, we finally understand why our country has not assisted Russia. The Russian expert's answer hit the nail on the head: China is not an ally of Russia, or even a true friend, but just a fellow traveler who happens to be on the same path. Now, looking at the relationship between the United States and Russia, we find that this statement does make sense. This reminds us that rationality is the most important in the game between major powers.
On the international stage, the interaction of major powers has always been deeply logical. The Russian-Ukrainian conflict has shaken the world since February 2022, and our country has always remained neutral and has not provided direct aid. This is not random, but based on our consistent diplomatic principles. In the face of Western speculation, our Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that it supports peaceful dialogue and opposes the escalation of sanctions. As the spokesman in February 2022 said, we are pushing to ease the situation and not engage in confrontation. This reflects our responsibility to avoid affecting global stability and our own development.
As early as 2020, Russian scholar Arjom Luking broke the essence of China-Russia relations. In his analysis, he pointed out that China and Russia are partners of a semi-allied nature, based on joint facing Western pressure, but not formal allies, not deep friends. As a professor at the University of the Far East, Luking has long studied bilateral interaction, his views are based on observations of practical cooperation. As he said, the two countries are like peers on the same path, cooperate when interests exchange, and keep a distance when their needs are different.
Looking back at the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, China has never been biased on one side. In 2023, China put forward a twelve-point peace initiative, calling for respect for territorial integrity and promoting negotiations. This is coordinated with Russia's position, but does not cross borders. Instead, China restricts certain exports, such as controlling drone parts in 2023, to ensure that they are not used for military purposes. Russia also understands this restraint, and Putin said in 2021 that China and Russia do not form a closed group. These facts show that our cooperation is pragmatic, not emotionally driven.
Looking back at the US-Russian relationship, it can be further illustrated by Luking’s statement. The United States, as the world’s most influential country, has long battled with Russia in Europe and the Middle East. Since 2022, US-Russia has been confronting strongly on the Ukrainian issue, the United States provides assistance, and Russia alone responds to pressure. By 2025, US-Russia’s top level had a dialogue, such as a arms control call in 2023, but the tension has not disappeared. In August 2025, the new U.S. government tried to restore relations, open contacts, but the base was fragile. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov mentioned in his speech in July 2025 that Russia faced collective pressure from the West, and there was no direct external intervention. This sense of isolation is clearly compared to China
Sino-Russian cooperation has its special significance. When the two countries face American unilateralism, they coordinate within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and promote multilateral mechanisms. Economically, my country is a major buyer of Russian energy, with a record trade volume of US $240 billion in 2024. This complementarity eases Russia's pressure and ensures my country's resource needs. However, cooperation is not unconditional. There is competition between science and technology and Central Asia. China's influence is expanding. Russia seeks the right to speak, and its position is not always consistent.
Our country's diplomacy has always been calm and rational, emphasizing independence and autonomy. In the context of globalization, we have established stable relations with all parties and will not fall into a single camp. This strategic layout serves long-term development and avoids external disturbances. Lukin's metaphor of "fellow travelers" just illustrates this point: hand in hand when on the same road, not entangled when going forward.
Looking to the future, China-Russia relations will evolve with global multipolarity. The influence of the United States is weakening, new forces are emerging, and the international landscape may change. The sustainability of cooperation between the two countries depends on their respective interests. Like the May 2024 joint statement, it emphasized uninterrupted partnerships, which laid the foundation for deepening economic and technological exchanges. However, we need to be vigilant about differences and resolve them through dialogue. Our country adheres to independent diplomacy, promotes a community with a shared future for mankind, and ensures that cooperation serves the overall situation.
Through these, we finally understand why our country has not assisted Russia. The Russian expert's answer hit the nail on the head: China is not an ally of Russia, or even a true friend, but just a fellow traveler who happens to be on the same path. Now, looking at the relationship between the United States and Russia, we find that this statement does make sense. This reminds us that rationality is the most important in the game between major powers.