, Columnist
Russia’s Gain Is Turning Out to Be China’s Pain
As Ukraine fires Western missiles across the border, the costs of supporting Vladimir Putin are rising for Beijing.
Free-fire zone.
Photographer: Handout/Getty Images
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Until very recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping may have felt vindicated in striking a “no limits” partnership with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. China has managed to provide just enough support to strengthen the Russian war effort in Ukraine, tilting momentum on the battlefield, without blatantly contravening US and European red lines against direct weapons sales.
Russia’s recent string of advances, however, threaten to make Xi’s life far more difficult.