Russian strategic experts said in an interview that if China continues to remain neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russia may have to "reconsider its direction." Isn't this a disguised form of saying that "China is not interesting enough"?
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is now, and the smoke has not yet cleared. There is such a thorny saying from Moscow: A strategic expert bluntly said in an interview that if China continues to be neutral, Russia will have to "reconsider its direction." This sounds like complaining that China is not righteous enough, but how big is the abacus behind it? The Sino-Russian partnership is rock-stable, but there are some cracks in the war. If this matter really turns, how stormy will it stir up?
On February 24, 2022, the day the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, spokesperson Zhao Lijian faced reporters 'camera in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Beijing and emphasized that China respects the sovereignty of all countries and called for the resolution of differences through dialogue. Since that day, China has always held this attitude and has not sided with any party. However, this neutral position has now been put on the table by Russian experts.
In order to understand the impact of this matter, we must first look at how difficult the situation in Russia is now.The conflict has been delayed for more than three years, and Western sanctions are like ropes on Russia's neck, the tighter it gets.
The European Commission just passed a 19th round of sanctions draft against Russia in September 2025, not only to ban Russian LNG imports, but also to squeeze the top price of crude oil to $47.6 per barrel, and even to limit cryptocurrency transactions.
On the other hand, Ukraine is continuously receiving aid, with the Netherlands and Denmark having raised $1 billion in weapons funding since August 2025, Germany and Canada each pledged $500 million, and the United States is also negotiating follow-up aid.
On the one hand, the layer-added sanctions, on the other hand, the source of continuous weapons support, the pressure of Russia can be imagined, so it will be someone rushing to "cry" to China.
China has never imposed sanctions on Russia like the West, but has given substantial support in economic and trade cooperation. In 2024, China-Russia trade recorded $2448,195 billion, and China’s exports to Russia increased by 4.1 percent.
In the energy sector, after China-Russia Eastern line natural gas pipeline is fully implemented, China can deliver 380 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, becoming an important pillar of Russian energy exports.
More importantly, more than 95% of the trade between the two countries is settled in RMB and rubles, which is not affected by Western financial restrictions. What is the point of these practical cooperation that can be seen as "not interesting enough"?
Moreover, China's neutrality has never been a cold watch. Just a month after the conflict broke out, the Red Cross Society of China sent 5 million yuan worth of food and daily necessities to Ukraine.
In 2023, China also issued China’s Position on Political Solution of the Ukrainian Crisis, and put forward specific proposals for ceasefire and peace talks, a plan widely accepted by both the United Nations and Russia. Now more than 80 countries and regional organizations have expressed their support.
Let's talk about the foundation of Sino-Russian relations, which can't be shaken by "reconsidering the direction". On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024, the Sino-Russian joint statement clearly stated that the two sides are a "comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era." This relationship is non-aligned, non-confrontational, and does not target third parties, and it is "not affected by one moment or another."
In other words, China-Russia cooperation is based on long-term national interests, not binding on a momentary position. Russia is really clear that in the case of comprehensive siege of the West, China is the few great countries that can maintain normal cooperation, really need to "re-think the direction", the loss will be only Russia itself.
The strategist's words are more like a kind of "pressure-style help". Because Russia needs to break the Western blockade too much, it hopes that China can stand on its side more clearly.
But China's diplomacy has its own principles. Neutrality is not to "make peace with mud", but to persuade peace and promote talks with more confidence. After all, there is no winner in the war. The people of Ukraine are looking forward to going home. Russia's economy cannot withstand long-term consumption. Only peaceful negotiations can truly solve the problem.
I think that Russia's words are unlikely to really change the direction of China-Russia relations, after all, real cooperation is there, no one will go with their core interests. but it also reminds us that the international situation is indeed complicated, China's neutral stance must both uphold the principle, but also let more countries understand that this is the right way to resolve the conflict.
Do you think that the Russian expert really wants to adjust the direction towards China, or just want to lend this word to China to send a “signal of help”?
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is now, and the smoke has not yet cleared. There is such a thorny saying from Moscow: A strategic expert bluntly said in an interview that if China continues to be neutral, Russia will have to "reconsider its direction." This sounds like complaining that China is not righteous enough, but how big is the abacus behind it? The Sino-Russian partnership is rock-stable, but there are some cracks in the war. If this matter really turns, how stormy will it stir up?
On February 24, 2022, the day the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, spokesperson Zhao Lijian faced reporters 'camera in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Beijing and emphasized that China respects the sovereignty of all countries and called for the resolution of differences through dialogue. Since that day, China has always held this attitude and has not sided with any party. However, this neutral position has now been put on the table by Russian experts.
In order to understand the impact of this matter, we must first look at how difficult the situation in Russia is now.The conflict has been delayed for more than three years, and Western sanctions are like ropes on Russia's neck, the tighter it gets.
The European Commission just passed a 19th round of sanctions draft against Russia in September 2025, not only to ban Russian LNG imports, but also to squeeze the top price of crude oil to $47.6 per barrel, and even to limit cryptocurrency transactions.
On the other hand, Ukraine is continuously receiving aid, with the Netherlands and Denmark having raised $1 billion in weapons funding since August 2025, Germany and Canada each pledged $500 million, and the United States is also negotiating follow-up aid.
On the one hand, the layer-added sanctions, on the other hand, the source of continuous weapons support, the pressure of Russia can be imagined, so it will be someone rushing to "cry" to China.
China has never imposed sanctions on Russia like the West, but has given substantial support in economic and trade cooperation. In 2024, China-Russia trade recorded $2448,195 billion, and China’s exports to Russia increased by 4.1 percent.
In the energy sector, after China-Russia Eastern line natural gas pipeline is fully implemented, China can deliver 380 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, becoming an important pillar of Russian energy exports.
More importantly, more than 95% of the trade between the two countries is settled in RMB and rubles, which is not affected by Western financial restrictions. What is the point of these practical cooperation that can be seen as "not interesting enough"?
Moreover, China's neutrality has never been a cold watch. Just a month after the conflict broke out, the Red Cross Society of China sent 5 million yuan worth of food and daily necessities to Ukraine.
In 2023, China also issued China’s Position on Political Solution of the Ukrainian Crisis, and put forward specific proposals for ceasefire and peace talks, a plan widely accepted by both the United Nations and Russia. Now more than 80 countries and regional organizations have expressed their support.
Let's talk about the foundation of Sino-Russian relations, which can't be shaken by "reconsidering the direction". On the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2024, the Sino-Russian joint statement clearly stated that the two sides are a "comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination in the new era." This relationship is non-aligned, non-confrontational, and does not target third parties, and it is "not affected by one moment or another."
In other words, China-Russia cooperation is based on long-term national interests, not binding on a momentary position. Russia is really clear that in the case of comprehensive siege of the West, China is the few great countries that can maintain normal cooperation, really need to "re-think the direction", the loss will be only Russia itself.
The strategist's words are more like a kind of "pressure-style help". Because Russia needs to break the Western blockade too much, it hopes that China can stand on its side more clearly.
But China's diplomacy has its own principles. Neutrality is not to "make peace with mud", but to persuade peace and promote talks with more confidence. After all, there is no winner in the war. The people of Ukraine are looking forward to going home. Russia's economy cannot withstand long-term consumption. Only peaceful negotiations can truly solve the problem.
I think that Russia's words are unlikely to really change the direction of China-Russia relations, after all, real cooperation is there, no one will go with their core interests. but it also reminds us that the international situation is indeed complicated, China's neutral stance must both uphold the principle, but also let more countries understand that this is the right way to resolve the conflict.
Do you think that the Russian expert really wants to adjust the direction towards China, or just want to lend this word to China to send a “signal of help”?