Putin Becomes China’s Junior Partner: Russia’s Growing Dependence on Beijing
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands as they pose for photos before a tea ceremony following their meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China May 20, 2026. Sputnik/Alexander Kazakov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Bishkek on August 31 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. As the war in Ukraine weakens Russia’s economic and geopolitical position, Moscow is becoming increasingly dependent on Beijing, giving China greater leverage over the Kremlin.
This is reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Analysts say Russia is becoming increasingly dependent on China due to economic problems and the fallout from Ukrainian attacks on its oil and gas industry. At the same time, Beijing has benefited from the war, in particular through access to cheap Russian oil and the Russian market.
Analysts believe that Putin is effectively forced to accept the role of China’s junior partner. Moscow’s increasing economic dependence could give Xi additional leverage, particularly over Russia’s position in the war against Ukraine.
At the same time, China continues to avoid direct condemnation of the Russian invasion. Beijing calls for a cessation of hostilities, negotiations, and de-escalation, but does not enter into open confrontation with Moscow.
At the same time, there are contradictions between the countries. China has rejected Russian proposals to build a new gas pipeline and insists on a gas price close to the subsidized domestic price in Russia. At the same time, Beijing supplies Moscow with certain dual-use goods and components for drones.
The meeting between Putin and Xi comes days after CIA Director John Ratcliffe made a secret visit to Moscow, warning Russia of a possible attack on NATO countries and stressing the US’s commitment to the alliance.
Analysts suggest that Xi may discuss the issue of a possible expansion of Russia’s war into NATO countries with Putin only behind closed doors.
“Putin can do little about China; he still views Xi as a strategic partner,” said Tatyana Stanova, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Center for Russia and Eurasia.
By the way, Russia has begun using new jet-powered modifications of the Shahed attack drones, which can accelerate to about 500 km/h. According to Western journalists, Chinese components played an important role in the emergence of such drones.
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