Member-only story
Two of the world’s largest autocracies are now working together in a relationship that keeps getting closer.
When Russia was facing deep economic problems from sanctions imposed by western democracies, China extended a lifeline. China has been sending a great deal of ‘dual use’ technology to Russia to assist in the invasion of Ukraine.
Now the UK claims that China is sending ‘lethal aid’ to Russia to use against Ukrainian forces. The U.S. disputes this saying it is only ‘dual use’ technology, but this month (May 2024 for you future readers) sanctioned Chinese companies for sending weapons. So even that dispure is more about semantics about whether the Chinese government or ‘rogue’ Chinese companies are sending lethal aid.
Meanwhile Western democracies are hamstringing Ukraine by not allowing the weapons technology they send to be used in offensive manner in Russian territory.
Putin’s Russia has already proved itself a threat to autonomous democracies and the West, China is an autocracy that rules 1.8 billion people with little regard to their freedom. These are not two tastes that taste great together. Combining China’s economic resources with Russia’s taste for military adventurism can be the worst threat to NATO this side of the reelection of Donald Trump.
At least that terror can be avoided by voting in a free and fair election (such as it is) you can’t vote away military conquest. If the Ukraine falls, this will embolden Russia and likewise it’s economic backer China.
