China has remained relatively quiet on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to the annoyance of the West. There may be several explanations for Beijing’s aloofness.

In their upcoming summit, China and Europe should steadfastly oppose any kind of new cold war. With the Ukraine conflict increasing the risk of decoupling, the need for joint responsibility to prevent a new cold war is clear.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been costly, and Russia has reportedly requested assistance from China. The U.S. and its Western allies have also opened dialogue with Chinese officials, and Beijing now faces a fork in the road and whichever route it chooses will define international relations for a long time to come.

China may be on the rocks as it attempts to sort through its options and navigate the challenge that Russia’s invasion/war with Ukraine has created for them.

China’s close strategic ties to Russia make it hard to come out in full-throated condemnation of the violence in Ukraine along with much of the world. Yet there are actionable methods that China can use to try and help save lives of innocent citizens.

Fast-moving events are forcing the United States to adopt a more cooperative posture toward China, whose help it needs to meet the expectations of the international community. Cooperation has assumed increasing real-world importance.

An article discussing an unexpected take on the Ukraine crisis from a prominent Shanghai scholar was taken offline in China, showcasing the difficulties of obtaining a complete narrative from the media.

After trade wars and the pandemic depression, aggressive sanctions and rate hikes will further derail economic prospects in the U.S., China and worldwide.

China-U.S. relations are feeling the strain of the conflict in Eastern Europe. China does not welcome war, but the United States must abandon its posture of coercion — forcing others to choose sides. Cooperation will be required to restore peace.

George Canning, who presided over the British foreign policy in the early nineteenth century, once famously said, “Europe's domain extends to the shores of the Atlantic, England’s begins there.”