Nataliya Butyrska, Associate Senior Fellow at the New Europe Center, explains in her remarks during the discussion panel “Visits to China by the US and russian Leaders : Implications for Ukraine” why China’s position on Russia’s war against Ukraine remains unchanged despite new waves of escalation and Russia’s attacks on Ukrainian cities.

The fellow points out that following meetings between Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, Russia repeatedly intensifies escalation—from massive strikes on Kyiv to provocations targeting NATO countries. At the same time, China has shown no political will to stop the war, continuing its economic support for Russia and promoting Russian narratives about the “root causes of the conflict” at the official level.

The presentation also examines how Beijing uses Russia to exhaust Western resources and advance its strategic competition with the United States. The author argues that China is not seeking a grand bargain with the United States but rather aims to maintain a controlled rivalry without direct military confrontation.

“China has no will to stop this war. It has neither the will nor the desire,” Natalia Butyrska emphasizes. “China is using Russia to drain Western resources and to confront the United States. That is why China continues to support Russia at the current level—through economic assistance and dual-use goods. That is enough,” the fellow notes.

Particular attention is also given to how perceptions of the war are changing within Chinese society. Despite the state’s tight control over information, an increasing number of Chinese citizens are beginning to recognize the economic and global consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and are rethinking official narratives.

Watch the full presentation below for more insights: