Beijing’s Role in Russia-Ukraine War: How China’s Military Support Impacts Ukraine and the West
China’s increasing military and economic backing of Russia is dramatically shifting the balance of power in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war, according to Bohdan Popov, Head of Digital at the United Ukraine Think Tank, in his analysis for The Gaze.
President Xi Jinping’s recent visit to Moscow marked a clear departure from Beijing's previous stance of neutrality, as China has now become a vital lifeline for Russia’s military efforts.
Over the course of just a few days in May, Russia and China signed over 30 agreements covering critical defense sectors, such as drone technology, optoelectronics, and advanced communications.
More than 60% of the chips used in Russian missiles, as well as critical parts for drones and radar systems, are sourced directly from China. This technological dependency makes China indispensable to Russia’s ability to continue its war efforts.
As Russia becomes increasingly reliant on Chinese technology and investment, it gains the ability to sustain and potentially escalate its military operations.
Beijing’s contributions, including the provision of advanced weaponry, drone technology, and precision-guided munitions, ensure that Russia’s military capabilities remain formidable, despite the strain imposed by Western sanctions.
This new support means that Ukraine faces a protracted war, where Russian forces are replenished with vital components and systems, keeping the war alive and undermining any hope for quick military resolution.
If left unchecked, this alliance could embolden other authoritarian regimes, suggesting that they too could bypass international sanctions and norms without consequence. This undermines the Western-led order, weakens the power of sanctions, and emboldens Russia in its disregard for international law.
To effectively counter this, Popov recommend targeted sanctions against Chinese banks facilitating Russian transactions and more stringent export controls on Chinese firms providing essential military components.
The West should also sanction Chinese logistics companies involved in transporting dual-use goods to Russia and blacklist Chinese proxy firms operating in countries like Kazakhstan, Turkey, and the UAE.
Furthermore, the West must send a strong message to China – it is time to choose between continuing to support a regime that violates international norms or facing major economic consequences.
This is not a diplomatic ultimatum but a necessary step to preserve the integrity of global order. If China continues to enable Russia’s war effort, the West should impose far-reaching sanctions on key sectors, such as 5G technology, semiconductors, energy, and telecommunications.
Read more on The Gaze: China's Influence on Russia's Defense Industry: Where to Hit with Sanctions