Part 9/14:
The Russian Puzzle: China's Role and Putin’s Threat
Another complex layer involves China’s support for Russia and Vladimir Putin. O'Reilly challenges the Chinese motive: Why is Beijing enabling Putin’s war in Ukraine? He believes that the Chinese could easily stop supporting Russia—by, for example, halting energy imports—yet they do not, perhaps calculating their gains in balancing relations.
Dr. Yanson agrees that China’s support for Russia is limited but cautious. He points out recent reports indicating China has suspended some oil imports from Russia—possibly as a sign of preparatory diplomacy before key meetings with Trump. Still, China’s refusal to fully cut off Putin indicates strategic calculation: maintaining influence without risking internal backlash or instability.