Russia and China recently conducted their largest military drills in 30 years, involving 90,000 troops, 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, as well as 120 planes and helicopters across various oceans and seas. The exercises, named “Ocean 24,” coincided with discussions between the U.S. and the European Union regarding security in the Indo-Pacific region and China’s support for Russia during the war in Ukraine. The U.S. accused Beijing of providing significant support to Russia, which is said to be directly aiding the Russian war machine. The State Department called on China to act in support of international law and push for peace proposals in a more transparent manner.
China has denied any involvement in Russia’s actions in Ukraine and has proposed peace deals to end the conflict. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy rejected a peace proposal put forward by China and Brazil in May, stating that it lacked respect for Ukraine’s territorial integrity. Zelenskyy emphasized the need for support against Russia rather than compromises that involve giving up Ukrainian land. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed openness to peace talks with Ukraine, with the condition that a mediator such as China, Brazil, or India be involved, a condition that Zelenskyy is unlikely to agree on due to Moscow’s ties to those nations.
The support between Russia and China has grown stronger following the invasion of Ukraine, leading to concerns about the sharing of military secrets between the two nations. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell highlighted that Russia has begun sharing sensitive military technologies with China, including submarine and missile technologies. This cooperation between Russia and China raises concerns about the potential threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly to countries like Japan and South Korea in the East China Sea. U.S. officials emphasized the need to monitor this engagement between Russia and China closely.
The U.S. and the European Union accused China of aiding Russia in evading sanctions and providing substantial support to bolster Russia’s military capabilities. The U.S. raised concerns about the collaboration between China and Russia in certain military arenas, warning about the implications for international security. U.S. officials expressed worries about China’s potential to further enhance its military capabilities in collaboration with Russia, posing a significant threat in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. The U.S. called for transparency and adherence to international law in all collaborative efforts between China and Russia to ensure global stability.
The geopolitical landscape has shifted with authoritarian leaders like Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping aligning against Western democracies, particularly following the war in Ukraine. The growing alliance between Russia and China has raised concerns among Western nations about the balance of power and the potential threats posed by their collaboration. The U.S. has emphasized the need to address this emerging alliance between Russia and China to ensure the safety and security of nations in the region. The complex dynamics between Russia, China, and Western nations require a strategic approach to managing the ongoing tensions and conflicts to prevent further escalation and promote stability in the global arena.
