China 'cannot afford' to see Putin defeated or replaced | Tobias Ellwood

"If the conflict ends up at any form, that suits Putin, that suits China as well."

Xi Jinping's plans to broker a peace negotiation between Ukraine and Russia would only allow Putin to 'regroup and try again in a few years,' says Tobias Ellwood.

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[hmmcinerney]

China also can’t afford to be sanctioned by its biggest market..the USA. Chinas economy is declining, there’s political unrest, it’s a razor edge for China to walk.

[duderdude]

Should have never let Russia be a permanent member of the UN security council following the fall of USSR

[gandalfstormcrow]

They can't afford secondary sanctions.

[davehollander]

It may be the most available charge but it is also a HORRIFIC war crime!

[simian_essence]

"Cannot afford "?? In the face of Ukrainian resolve and Western support, it totally doesn't matter what China can "afford".

[kdw]

I have never voted democrat, but think we should be doing MUCH more to support Ukraine.

[cristo]

More like Winnie can't afford it but the Chinese people might not be feeling getting involved in a disastrous war for Russia. Remember how quickly Winnie changed course on zero covid once the population really started resisting.

[christophercole]

DeSantis’ poll numbers tumbled when he stupidly said that the U.S. has no national interest in Ukraine.

[Digmen]

It really is time to close the United Nations
How can you have a senior member invading another country, and committing human rights abuses

[benelliott]

Well Xi better get a dam big glass of water for that pill he got to swallow then

[obriets]

I think we need to start preparing our economies because China does need to be hit with secondary sanctions. Turkey too.

[dushyantchahal]

The level of bot activity is astounding

[mrkiplingreallywasanexceed]

Which is why China must not - be "discouraged" "dissuaded" "deterred" or "diverted" - mealy mouthed centuries old words so obsequious, euphemistic and diplomatic in tone.

Instead, China must be given a cold stare and told to stay out of it - we've already seen how 30 years of diplomacy, thawing of relations, congenial bringing on board, soft power, strengthened trade links and all round fraternal encouragement (all of those deserve to be in quotes) have been received and repaid. Not just arrogantly thrown back our faces, but actively mocked and used against us. Russia and China no more subscribe to liberty, fairness, transparency, justice and democracy than does North Korea.

I truly feel it is time that having now sent "Putain" a gloves off unequivocal message by way of the ICC arrest warrant, China should now be asked to state whether or not it condemns Russia in its actions against Ukraine and which side of the new world order it wants to be on when we collectively come through this and out the other side. China cannot be allowed to start "evening things up" for Russia. The attacks on Ukraine have been internationally condemned and the only reason China has failed thus far to condemn Russia is a) it does not wish to look aligned with the USA b) to buy bargain basement hydrocarbons from Russia c) weaken Russia so China can dominate her in the aftermath.

China is no ally of Russia - it is a marriage of convenience, no more no less. And no, for the same reasons Putain didn't want a West facing European democracy right on his doorstep, neither does Xi. Massively corrupt politicians don't like functioning open societies on their doorsteps, it makes their secretive, exclusive Mafia clubs so much more difficult to justify...

[monashsq]

I would like to know if Trumps period as president had an effect here with regards to not giving Ukraine sipport and laying the ground work for this all to go down. It seems this way.

[qzorn]

Russia ends wars when they fail and loose the war. 🤣 No more free-world vacations for VP. 🤗 25 million dollar VP bounty no questions asked.

[ThePhilippinesWayofLife]

Country's needs to stop buying stuff from China and for fender guitar to stop making guitar's in China

[DeclanMBrennan]

A weakened isolated Russia might actually suit China. Although they would have to delay their ambitions for Taiwan, they might be able to negotiate the return of Outer Manchuria which was annexed by Russia. They might also get access to the water in Lake Baikal for irrigation not to mention other resources at a price that suits them.

[trojanthedog]

The UN is done. The Security Council more so. Let's all just admit the party is over and act like adults and face the new reality.

[hujiaming]

The phrase "cannot afford" is a lie, things always happen on those autocrats as what they don't want to happen.

[philg]

Oh look, the British Bolton again. Go for the stache man.