Ukrainecast As Putin meets Xi, is China invested in Russia's invasion?
Sep 2, 2025
In this discussion, Fiona Hill, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and former deputy assistant to President Trump, provides insight into Putin's recent diplomatic dance with Xi Jinping in China. She explores how the growing Russia-China alliance complicates Western efforts to end the Ukraine conflict. Hill highlights Xi's ambiguous stance as potentially supportive of Russia, and examines the urgency for the U.S. and Europe to rethink their strategies in light of shifting global alliances and the escalating conflict.
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Stronger Russia-China Alignment
- Fiona Hill argues China and Russia are now tightly aligned and unlikely to be wedged apart by the US.
- This alignment weakens US efforts to split the two powers diplomatically and geopolitically.
Tariffs Pushed India Closer To Russia
- Fiona Hill says US tariffs on India over Russian oil backfired and pushed India toward Russia and China.
- Coaxing partners with economic threats can drive them into closer relations with targeted rivals.
China Prefers A Russian Outcome
- Hill cites Chinese statements that Beijing does not want Russia to lose in Ukraine and prefers a Russian outcome that limits US gain.
- China’s stance is driven by broader geopolitics, not direct animus toward Europe.