China and Russia–Ukraine War: From Ambiguity to Balancing

Salehi, Mokhtar; Zarei, Shakila

doi:10.22034/ca.2026.2079651.1956

China and Russia–Ukraine War: From Ambiguity to Balancing

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

mokhtar salehi ¹

Shakila Zarei ²

¹ Assistant Professor of International Relations, Department of Political Science and International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar. Iran.

² Master's Degree in International Relations. University of Mazandaran. Babolsar.Iran.

10.22034/ca.2026.2079651.1956

Abstract

The Ukraine crisis is one of the most prominent geopolitical developments in 21 century. It began with expansive attacks by Russia’s troops in Ukraine. This crisis led to a policy divide between Russia and west. This crisis also creates a new context for the boundaries of the new global order. In common situation, the position of China as the strategic ally of Russia is so prominent in order to end the war. This study investigates to answer this question: How China reacted to Russia-Ukraine war? The hypothesis of this study indicates that China has multifaceted approach according to a policy of ambiguity and duality about this war. This policy leads to maintaining and deepening the relationship with Russia and creating a balance against the West. Examining China’s approach about the Ukraine crisis is done in defensive realism theory. This study employs an analytical-explanatory framework. Further more the data collection method is qualitative, based on library sources and online resources. Then collected sources are analyzed by using the content analysis method. The findings of this study indicate that China uses the Ukraine crisis as the opportunity for challenging with the United States in Asia-Pacific and weakening the Western alliance. China also expanded its strategic partnership with Russia in the economic, energy, technology and security fields.

Keywords

China&rsquo

s policy, Ukraine crisis, Russia&rsquo

s strategy, The balance of power, Multifaceted approach

Subjects