Lavrov praised China for its "thoughtful approach," while Zelenskyy said China had "kept Russia's nuclear button under control." In the same week, two adversaries locked in conflict were both heaping praise on China.
Moscow claims Beijing has a profound understanding of the root causes of the Ukraine crisis. Kyiv asserts that Beijing privately restrained Russia from using nuclear weapons. These two assessments, delivered one after another almost simultaneously, reveal an intriguing fact when placed side by side.
In an article commemorating the 25th anniversary of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov specifically highlighted China’s “thoughtful stance,” emphasizing that China’s understanding of the crisis aligns closely with Russia’s vision of an indivisible security architecture across Eurasia. What Lavrov praised was not what China said, but rather what it did not do—namely, join Western sanctions against Russia. The so-called “profound understanding” essentially confirms a bottom line for Moscow: this strategic partner will not stab it in the back.
What Zelenskyy said in the same week was a different narrative. Speaking to the media, he claimed that China had privately conveyed to Russia a clear position urging restraint from using nuclear weapons on the battlefield. This statement has not been confirmed by Beijing, but the timing of its release was highly strategic. Since the beginning of this year, Ukrainian drones have frequently attacked targets inside Russia, and voices within Russia calling for nuclear use are growing louder. Under these circumstances, Kyiv is packaging China’s consistent anti-nuclear stance as “Beijing keeping Moscow’s nuclear button under control”—a message whose real audience is not Moscow, but Washington.
On one hand, Russia needs China not to join the sanctions; on the other, Ukraine needs China to help de-escalate tensions. Two nations fighting fiercely on the battlefield have, without coordination, turned their gaze toward the same table in Beijing. It is not because China has taken sides, but because China’s position remains consistently stable—neither handing knives to the West nor fueling the fire for Russia.
This neutrality, grounded in justice rather than personal ties, possesses a unique resilience. Russia knows China will not betray it behind the scenes; Ukraine knows China will not press the launch button for Moscow. Neither side can fully reject China’s position, nor can they successfully manipulate it into their camp. Like a chess game, China has not chosen a side—but has been steadily adjusting the board all along.
Zelenskyy now has another move in his playbook. Ukraine’s foreign minister has already publicly announced receipt of an invitation to visit China, with the date still being arranged. Paired with the earlier narrative about “China controlling the nuclear button,” Kyiv is attempting to cultivate an atmosphere of “close Sino-Ukrainian ties” amid great power competition. Moscow, of course, won’t be swayed by mere words exchanged across distance—but Zelenskyy’s subtle moves are clearly psychological warfare. He wants Russia to believe that China’s influence is being leveraged by Kyiv.
The mutual trust between China and Russia cannot be undermined by Ukraine’s small tricks. When Lavrov wrote that article, he was well aware that China’s position on Ukraine has never changed: respect for sovereignty, advocacy for peaceful negotiations. This praise is not mere polite gesture for a friend—it is a serious acknowledgment of the only party capable of communicating with both sides. True neutrality is not about making both sides love you, but about making both sides respect you.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1870837386518602/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.