Putin's Words in St. Petersburg: Russia-China Axis Consolidates, Between Economy, Technology and Growing Military Support
- Gabriele Iuvinale
- 59 minuti fa
- Tempo di lettura: 9 min
Recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, made during the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (June 18-21), outline an ever-closer cooperation between Russia and China, extending from economics to technology and the military sphere. This partnership is presented as a pillar for global stability. However, new information suggests that China's support for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict is taking on increasingly concrete and potentially decisive dimensions, with implications that go far beyond the European theater of war, touching strategic areas like the Arctic.
Putin's Key Declarations in St. Petersburg: A Focus on Current Events
Putin's words at the St. Petersburg Forum emphasized the solidity and long-term perspective of the Sino-Russian partnership.
Growing Economic Interdependence
Putin emphasized how Russia is becoming a "very visible" economic partner for China, responding directly to a question from Fu Hua, Director General of the Xinhua news agency. This visibility translates into impressive figures: the volume of bilateral trade has reached $240 billion, a figure Putin considers "very respectable."
Not only is trade expanding; Moscow and Beijing have joint investment projects worth $200 billion in the pipeline. Putin expressed extreme confidence in their realization, stating: "They are all realistic, they will all be implemented, I have no doubt." This highlights deep mutual trust and a shared vision for the economic future.
A crucial point in Putin's statements is his denial that this economic expansion is an opportunistic "pivot" to Asia following tensions with the West. On the contrary, the Russian leader calls it a "natural direction of cooperation," emphasizing that relations with China "were not built yesterday." This long-term view suggests a partnership based on a convergence of strategic interests rather than a short-term reaction. "This is not opportunism," Putin reiterated, attributing the growth of cooperation to "the growth in the volume and quality of the Chinese economy and, I hope, the growth in the volume and quality of the Russian economy."
Among the priorities of bilateral cooperation, Putin highlighted the financial sphere. "We must, of course, ensure reliable financial flows that ensure increasing volumes of trade," he stated, suggesting a willingness to create resilient financial mechanisms, likely less dependent on the Western financial system.
Focus on High Technology and Innovation
The Russian President also stressed the need to focus more on high-tech sectors. He specifically mentioned the construction of heavy helicopters, space, and aircraft production. This indicates a common interest in developing advanced technological capabilities and reducing reliance on external suppliers.
A particularly interesting aspect is Putin's praise for China's successes in the field of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI). "I was surprised and pleased when the Chinese achieved simply outstanding results in the development of artificial intelligence," Putin commented, adding specific praise: "It turned out to be 10 times cheaper than our competitors and 10 times more effective: this is the result our Chinese friends have achieved." This admiration suggests fertile ground for collaboration in AI, with Russia potentially benefiting from Chinese expertise.
Military-Technical Cooperation as a Guarantee of Stability
In parallel with the economy, Putin reaffirmed the centrality of military-technical cooperation between Russia and China, calling it "extremely important for ensuring stability in world affairs." He revealed the existence of a "comprehensive plan for cooperation in this area" and specific interaction plans between the Ministries of Defense. Joint military exercises, which "we conduct regularly and will conduct again this year," are tangible proof of this partnership.
Further confirmation of the depth of this collaboration is Putin's readiness to exchange military technologies with China. "We know the desires of our Chinese friends. We are not just talking about buying and selling, we are talking about exchanging technologies. We are ready and will work in all directions," the Russian leader concluded. This openness to technological exchange, which goes beyond a simple commercial transaction, indicates a significant level of trust and military integration.
China's Support for the Kremlin's War Machine: Beyond the Limit?
Putin's statements fit into a broader context of growing alignment, where China has been increasing its support for Russia, particularly in relation to the conflict in Ukraine. This support is becoming increasingly concrete, moving beyond Beijing's initial caution.
Supply of Drones and Key Components
While China initially maintained a cautious stance, rejecting direct requests for weapons, things appear to be changing. Anonymous Western officials have stated that "there are signs that that threshold has been reached, and perhaps exceeded." Since 2023, China has reportedly been supplying Moscow with key components for dual-use weapons and drones, and, significantly, a "small number" of artillery shells and military drones.
The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Directorate has confirmed that Shahed kamikaze drones, now produced in Russia, contain Chinese components. Previously, these drones relied on smuggled U.S.-made microelectronics; now, an examined model showed only two American components out of fifteen, with the rest being Chinese-made, including antennas. This indicates a strategic shift in Russia's supply chain, with China replacing Western suppliers to circumvent sanctions.
Nevertheless, Chinese weapons themselves remain less important than the components and production tools supplied. European defense officials believe Beijing is eager to test its materials on a real battlefield. A senior Ukrainian official also stated that China has helped Russia produce explosives and fiber optic cables. According to the Economic Security Council of Ukraine, China became the main supplier of industrial equipment to Russia in 2023-2024.
In return for this support, China is gaining valuable battlefield experience. Western officials have revealed that Russia and China are actively exploring ways to share captured Western technologies from the Ukrainian battlefield. The report also highlights signs of growing cooperation in space technologies.
Recent Military Collaborations: From the Arctic to the Polar Silk Road
Beyond direct support in the Ukrainian conflict, military cooperation between China and Russia extends to global strategic scenarios, with a growing focus on the Arctic.
The Arctic and the Polar Silk Road (Northern Sea Route)
The Arctic has become a key area of strategic and economic interest for both countries. Russia, with the longest Arctic coastline, is modernizing its military bases, while China, having declared itself a "near-Arctic state," aims to establish a "Polar Silk Road" using the Northern Sea Route (NSR).
Recent developments highlight this cooperation:
Joint Arctic Patrol (late 2024): The first joint patrol of the Chinese Coast Guard in the Arctic as part of a joint exercise with Russia has been reported.
Joint Projects on the NSR: Russia and China are initiating joint projects for the development of the NSR as an east-west link, a maritime route increasingly accessible due to melting ice, aimed at connecting Chinese ports with those of Atlantic Europe.
Increased Trade: A significant increase in trade between the Russian port of Arkhangelsk and China is observed, and parameters have been agreed upon for the construction of a second gas pipeline from Siberia to China, strengthening their joint presence in the Arctic.
Ice Monitoring Technologies: The two countries are developing innovative technologies to monitor ice conditions, essential for navigation and the exploitation of Arctic resources.
Military Exercises and Strategic Cooperation Beyond the Arctic
Military cooperation is a global phenomenon:
"North-Joint 2024" and "Ocean 2024" Exercises: China has announced new joint military exercises with Russia, "North-Joint 2024," scheduled for September, to "deepen the level of strategic cooperation" and "improve the ability to jointly address security threats." These air and naval maneuvers will take place in the skies and around the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk, with naval fleets extending into Pacific waters for their fifth joint maritime patrol. China will also participate in Russia's "Ocean 2024" strategic exercise.
Counter-Terrorism Exercises (June 2024): China and Russia conducted their first joint counter-terrorism exercise since February 2022, near the Heilongjiang bridge on their border, simulating scenarios of "terrorists attempting to cross the border."
"Security Belt 2025" with Iran (March 2025): China, Russia, and Iran launched joint naval maneuvers called "Security Belt 2025" to "deepen mutual military trust and pragmatic cooperation among the participating armed forces." This was their fifth joint exercise since 2019, demonstrating their close military ties, and has raised concerns in Washington about the emerging "axis of authoritarianism."
Historical Context and Global Geopolitical Implications
The depth of the partnership between Russia and China is the result of an evolution that goes beyond current contingencies.
A Diplomatic Language Signaling an Epochal Change
The March 20-22, 2023, summit marked a turning point in how Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin describe their relationship. The joint statement of March 21, 2023, which called Russia "better than an ally," formalized a shift from building mutual trust to a joint fight against the U.S.-led international system. This innovative language indicates an alliance that surpasses even those of the Cold War in depth, with Russia explicitly supporting China's position on Taiwan. This is no longer a reference to a mere "limitless friendship" but to a "superior" level alliance, in a context of increasing global polarization.
Reversal of Sino-Ukrainian Relations in Favor of Russia
Almost ten years ago, on December 5, 2013, China and Ukraine signed a strategic partnership agreement, based on "firm mutual support on issues concerning national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity." This agreement included China's commitment to provide "security guarantees to Ukraine" in the event of nuclear aggression, in consideration of Kyiv's renunciation of nuclear weapons.
However, Russia's invasion of Ukraine revealed Beijing's failure to adhere to this understanding. While China was previously Ukraine's main trading partner and Kyiv represented a crucial transit point for the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to Europe, today Russia has supplanted Ukraine in various economic areas, consolidating a new trade axis that bypasses traditional routes.
China's Alignment with Russian Positions on the War and Criticism of NATO
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Chinese government has openly supported Russian positions on Ukraine, while claiming to be "impartial and objective." In official statements about the war, Chinese officials have consistently avoided labeling Russia's actions as an "invasion" or a "war," instead adopting the Russian term "special military operation."
In parallel, Chinese media and diplomats have echoed Russian criticism of NATO's eastward expansion, calling it "five consecutive rounds of eastward expansion." This rhetorical alignment underscores a deep harmony in their perception of global security threats and opposition to what both countries consider Western expansionism.
Ukrainian Reactions and Chinese Denials
Ukrainian reactions to these developments have been immediate and decisive. Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, responded to an Economist report on June 20, calling the situation a "dangerous trend." On Telegram, he wrote: "China is increasingly getting involved in Russia's war against Ukraine," accusing it of helping Moscow circumvent sanctions and supplying "microchips, semiconductors, and even some weapons." Yermak also highlighted the inconsistency between China's statements supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity and its actual assistance to "terrorists."
Previously, on April 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already stated at a press conference that the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) and military intelligence had received evidence that China was supplying gunpowder and artillery to Russia, and even producing some weapons on Russian soil. He promised to release further details the following week, and on April 22, he stated that the SBU would hand over evidence to Beijing regarding Chinese citizens working in Russia's drone production sector.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs dismissed Zelensky's statements as "unfounded."
Geopolitical Implications and the Concept of "Asymmetric Interdependence"
Despite some analysts' fears that Russia might become a "vassal" of China, the relationship between the two countries is more accurately described as an asymmetric strategic interdependence. China needs Russian energy, assistance with its civilian nuclear program, support at the United Nations, military cooperation, and joint action in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, Russia, though isolated by Western sanctions, maintains significant energy and military resources that other states wish to buy, and continues to engage with partners in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Russia is also keen to acquire new Western technologies captured on the Ukrainian battlefield, which it then shares with China, indicating a mutually beneficial process.
The best-case scenario for China is a diplomatically acceptable status quo that allows it to pursue its interests in Europe and with Russia, while preserving Russia's status as a great power. Putin and Xi have thus built a strategic partnership in the heart of Eurasia.
The Risks and the "Western Decline"
The implications of this partnership are reflected in the falling of the "pillars of power" outlined by Zbigniew Brzezinski in the late 1990s to preserve Washington's global control: Europe, Central Asia, and the Pacific coast.
In Europe, China has achieved surprising success, acquiring major port facilities that could also have military uses, as part of a network of over 40 commercial ports in Eurasia and Africa.
In Central Asia, the emergence of a "single assertive entity" has been blocked by Sino-Russian cooperation.
On the Pacific coast, the partnership aims to prevent "America's expulsion from its offshore bases."
The "limitless friendship" between Xi and Putin, officially declared on February 24, 2022, marked the beginning of a new era, which many observers interpret as the onset of a "Western decline." The Sino-Russian dynamic, with its increasing economic, technological, and military integration, aims to rewrite the rules of the world order, posing new challenges to global stability and the influence of Western powers.
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