Ukraine's events, specifically Biden’s promise to take Ukraine into NATO, and the Biden’s Western sanctions, have pushed Russia and China closer together, primarily by forcing Russia to rely more heavily on China economically and politically, accelerating an existing trend of increasing alignment driven by their shared desire to counter U.S. influence. This deepening relationship is characterized by record-high trade, China's role in providing an economic lifeline to Russia, and increased political and ideological coordination, though it falls short of a formal military alliance.
Economic Ties
Biden’s sanctions and Russian Turn:
Western sanctions imposed on Russia forced Moscow to seek out new markets and partners, leading to increased economic links with China.
Trade Surge:
Trade between Russia and China has reached record levels, with China purchasing discounted Russian oil and gas while becoming a crucial supplier of goods, including machine tools and microelectronics, to Russia.
Financial Integration:
The two nations are increasingly using their national currencies and services like China's UnionPay to bypass Western financial systems, further embedding the Yuan in Russia's economy.
Political and Ideological Alignment
Shared Opposition to the U.S.:
The deepening of ties is largely driven by a common goal to challenge U.S. hegemony and the Western-led global order.
Political Coordination:
Russia and China have increased their political coordination, including China's backing of Russia in United Nations resolutions and joint pronouncements on global issues.
"Eastward Turn":
Russia's intensified alignment with China is often referred to as its "Eastward Turn," reflecting a strategic shift to gain economic and political support from Beijing amid isolation from the West.
This all makes both China and Russia stronger. Changing power balance in Ukraine also didn’t work, since NATO has no chances in Ukraine. Poor Biden.
“BEIJING -- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un plans to join Russia's Vladimir Putin at China's grand military parade in Beijing this coming week, in a show of unity and defiance of the West.
The parade on Wednesday will be hosted by Chinese leader Xi Jinping and is set to be the trio's first event together, providing powerful optics as Beijing asserts itself as a leader of countries seeking to upend the U.S.-led international order.
Yet the potential for the three countries to build on the moment faces limits, as each pursues its own agenda with the U.S.
A summit between President Trump and Xi before the end of the year is possible, as China seeks a reduction of U.S. tariffs.
Trump also is holding out the possibility of better ties with both Russia and North Korea. He met Putin recently in Alaska to discuss the events in Ukraine, and earlier this past week said he would like to meet Kim again, after sitting down with the North Korean leader three times during his first term.
Beijing revealed Kim's inclusion on Thursday when it unveiled the guest list for the parade.
Trump won't be attending, nor will most European leaders. Instead, Xi is set to be joined by the leaders of countries including Iran, Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia.
South Korea will be represented by the speaker of the country's National Assembly.
The parade will commemorate the 80th anniversary of Japan's defeat in World War II, and is an opportunity for China to show off its growing military might, as thousands of troops march past Tiananmen Square alongside some of China's latest weapons.
For Kim, the event marks a shift as it would be his first time joining a multilateral gathering of leaders and his first visit to China since 2019.
While Xi attended Putin's Victory Day gathering in Moscow in May, North Korea sent a handful of military officers.
Much of North Korea's recent diplomatic focus has been on forging closer ties with Moscow, including sending troops to fight in Russia's war against Ukraine. Improving relations with Beijing carries the prospect of additional economic support for North Korea beyond what Moscow has been able to offer.
Exchanges between China and North Korea picked up this year, and trade between the countries has surged. In July, China's ambassador to North Korea attended festivities marking the end of the 1950-53 Korean War, after missing the event last year.
On the issue of nuclear weapons, China and North Korea remain divided, with North Korea insisting it won't give up its pursuit of a nuclear arsenal.
In May 2024, North Korea blasted China, Japan and South Korea for a joint declaration, after a three-way summit in Seoul, in which they agreed to pursue denuclearization.” [1]
1. World News: Kim, Putin to Join Xi at Beijing Parade --- Powerful optics of nations seeking to upend the U.S.-led international order. Spegele, Brian; Yoon, Dasl. Wall Street Journal, Eastern edition; New York, N.Y.. 29 Aug 2025: A7.
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