China’s position on Ukraine “clear as mud” | TICKER VIEWS

As Western countries unite to help Ukraine fight back against Russian aggression, Moscow is turning its attention east, and hoping Beijing will join their war.

But political analysts believe China has so far shrugged off Putin’s requests for assistance, despite promising closer ties before the invasion.

Vladimir Putin has spent years courting China. But so far, all that mutual admiration has failed to materialise into military assistance in Moscow’s war on Ukraine.

China might not want to take a position on Ukraine that could undermine Russia, but Beijing hasn’t provided any material assistance to help either.

China’s economy has had a rough couple of years, and the re-emergence of COVID-19 in the population hasn’t helped.

The winter Olympics now seem like a distant memory – so too the visit from Vladimir Putin – where both sides committed to a friendship without limits.

President Joe Biden spent two hours on Friday speaking with Xi Jinping about Russias invasion.

His warning was stark – there will be a global backlash against China and consequences if China helps Russia.

As clear as mud

Foreign Minister Wang Yi says China will be on the right side of history.

“We have always stood for maintaining peace and opposing war,” 

But China’s position is far from clear. Western governments want Beijing to force Putin to the negotiating table or accept a ceasefire.

But China’s own worsening relations with the United States and western nations might also be used as leverage by all sides.

U.S. officials are deeply frustrated with China’s position and believe Beijing has “actively ignored U.S. warnings.

The US might be talking, but no one knows if China’s listening.