Russia seeks to intensify its relationship with China but publicly expresses anxiety that Beijing treats it as a junior partner, avoiding full commitment to their strategic partnership, as highlighted by a May 16 RT criticism. China, conversely, is irritated by Russia's deepening ties with North Korea, which Beijing views as its periphery and a move impacting regional security, including rearmament in South Korea and Japan.
Beijing also feels betrayed by Russia's prolonged war in Ukraine and suspects Moscow might use their relationship as a bargaining chip with the United States. China is delaying a bilateral pipeline expansion, wary of Russia's potential to use energy as political leverage. Despite these frictions, China will not abandon Russia, distrusting the American-led international order and fearing a Russian defeat. China aims to keep Russia on a tight leash, anticipating future betrayals, while Russia remains dependent on Chinese technical support and suspicious of the West. This growing friction could impact Russia's war effort and potentially lead to missteps by President Putin. Both nations cannot afford a complete break, necessitating a cautious Western approach.
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