Amid the war in
Ukraine, China has been a vital support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. But
the US defence establishment now believes that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has
made Russia a strategic burden on China. “I do think that there’s a degree to
which what Putin has done in Ukraine makes Russia much more of a strategic
burden for Beijing than it was six months ago or six years ago,” Colin Kahl,
under secretary to Defense for Policy said.

The Pentagon’s
claim comes after Jons Stoltenberg, chief of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty
Organization), said Wednesday that China had given political backing to Russia over
the Ukraine war and media reports were doing the rounds that China knew Russia
would invade Ukraine.

According to
Stoltenberg, “China has provided Russia with political support, including by
spreading blatant lies and misinformation, and allies are concerned that China
could provide material support for the Russian invasion.”  

Taking issue with
this narrative, the Chinese Defence Ministry strongly denied the claims and
accused the United States of shirking responsibility and smearing China. While
Chinese backing for Russia makes geopolitical sense, that Beijing has been a
vital support for Putin has been evidenced by the joint statement that released
by President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping in early February.

The summit was
held on the side lines of the Beijing Olympics. During the summit, China had
taken a strong position against NATO expansion in Europe. Russia, in return,
has recognised Taiwan as integral to China.

Meanwhile, United States’ President Joe Biden has been warning China against coming to Russia’s aid. In a phone call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden said assistance to Russia would incur “consequences”.  Further, Biden, speaking on the sidelines of a NATO Summit in Brussels said Xi understands that China’s economic interests lie with the West. 

“I made no threats, but I pointed out the number of American and foreign corporations who left Russia as a consequence of their [Russia’s] barbaric behaviour,” Biden said.