Russia-China Summit Push Back Against the US: In not-so-surprising news, the Chinese have backed Russia in the tensions over Ukraine during a summit meeting with the backdrop of the Olympics in Beijing. In a joint statement, China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin agreed that NATO should not admit new members while agreeing that Taiwan is Chinese territory.
Putin is the highest-profile world leader to attend the Beijing Olympics since the US, the UK and several other countries including India have staged a diplomatic boycott of the games in light of China’s numerous human rights abuses and its treatment of Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
Putin mentioned the “dignified relations that support mutual development” between Russia and China and the joint statement was a jab at their two’s common enemy, the United States as the statement charged the US without mentioning it by name of “interference in the internal affairs” of other nations.
“Some forces representing a minority on the world stage continue to advocate unilateral approaches to resolving international problems and resort to military policy,” the statement said.
“The parties oppose the further expansion of NATO and call on the North Atlantic Alliance to abandon the ideological approaches of the Cold War era,” the document added, and demanded the respect for the “sovereignty, security and interests of other countries”.
This statement goes beyond what China had been stating, urging all sides for calm and calling for an end of “Cold War mentalities”, while still supporting Russia’s claims. A week ago, the Chinese ambassador to the UN Zhang Jun said outright that China disagreed with the US claims that Russia was threatening international peace. He also charged that the US calling a meeting of the UN Security Council was akin to “megaphone diplomacy” that was “not conducive” for negotiations.
China Extends Economic Lifeline If the US/West Place Economic Sanctions:
Since the Russians annexed Crimea in 2014, in light of sanctions from the West, the Chinese extended a hand with political and economic support. Russia has enjoyed a burgeoning trade partnership with the Chinese that topped more than $147 billion dollars last year and has increased their joint military exercises.
The joint statement also includes the announcement of a new contract that will supply China with 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas each year from eastern Russia.
“For our meeting today, our oilmen have prepared very good new solutions for the supply of hydrocarbons to the People’s Republic of China, and another step forward has been taken in the gas industry,” Putin said in remarks that were broadcast on Russian television.
The Russians have been a key supplier of oil, gas, and coal for China’s economy, now the world’s second-largest, along with foodstuffs and other raw materials.
Russia Continues Buildup of Forces on Ukrainian Border:
Meanwhile, the Russian military continues building up its forces on three sides of the Ukrainian border. With about 130,000 massed on the border, Ukrainian officials are now concerned with Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
According to a report in the New York Times, the Russians have moved another 10,000 troops into the area. These troops include airborne and infantry forces and are reportedly at the highest level of readiness.
Military intelligence analysts, citing satellite photographs of the region show the Russians are moving logistical infrastructure like hospital and communications units, electronic warfare units to disrupt enemy communications, airpower, and additional troops to man equipment that was already deployed to the border region.
These indicators are textbook order of battle moves of a country preparing for conflict, according to analysts.
Image of Russian T-14 Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Moscow has repeatedly stated that it is not going to attack, but that it is the US and NATO that are ignoring the Russian demands for their security. Also concerning for Ukraine is the presence of six large Russian landing vessels capable of deploying tanks and thousands of troops that Russia has sent from its Baltic and Northern Fleets, ostensibly for an exercise in the Mediterranean but could easily be diverted to the Black Sea.
Steve Balestrieri is a 1945 National Security Columnist. He has served as a US Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer before injuries forced his early separation. In addition to writing for 1945, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and his work was regularly featured in the Millbury-Sutton Chronicle and Grafton News newspapers in Massachusetts.
