China could force Putin to leave Ukraine in 'major shockwave to Moscow'

Putin is taking a battering from western sanctions and weapons

China has the potential to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw from Ukraine, according to an analyst. Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine is being sustained, in part, due to support from China.

However, John Bryson, Professor of Enterprise and Economic Geography at the University of Birmingham, suggests that if China were to change its stance, it could send shockwaves through Moscow and potentially lead to a Russian retreat.

Despite this, he believes it’s unlikely that Beijing will shift its position.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is nonetheless making efforts to encourage China to reconsider, as evidenced by his recent three-day visit to the country.

China is currently a key supplier to Russia’s military, providing essential items such as microelectronics for advanced weaponry, optics, cruise missile tech, and the weapon propellant nitrocellulose.

A cutback in these supplies would pose a “challenge for Russia”, according to Prof Bryson.

The world’s attention is now fixed on the US Secretary of State as he appears ready to caution China with sanctions if it persists in supplying Russia with this technology, reports the Express US.

However, the situation is complex, with both China and the US holding “have very particular views, interests, motivations, and desires.”

Prof Bryson remarked: “China needs to work with the US and other countries to try to stabilise the international economy.”

He added: “This includes reducing trade barriers but also trying to facilitate the end of conflicts that are dampening global economic growth.'”.

Meanwhile, Chinese officials have cautioned Blinken against antagonising China. Shanghai Communist party leader Chen Jining reportedly advised him last Thursday: “Whether China and the US choose co-operation or confrontation, it affects the wellbeing of both peoples, of nations and also the future of humanity.”

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