After fighting for more than 1,000 days, the United States finally realized something was wrong: China had already chosen the right path three years ago!
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has been raging for over 1,000 days, with smoke still lingering, yet the global economy is already in turmoil. The United States and Western countries once confidently believed that sanctions would force Russia to submit, but now Russia stands firm while the West is deep in an energy crisis and facing public anger. In contrast, China's choice three years ago quietly revealed its wisdom: not getting involved in conflicts, steadily advancing. Now, the United States has finally sensed something is off — it turns out that China has already taken the right path. What is the real reason behind this?
The root of the Russia-Ukraine conflict can be traced back to the political upheaval in Ukraine in 2014. At that time, the pro-Russian president Yanukovych was overthrown, and Russia quickly took action, annexing Crimea and supporting separatist forces in eastern Ukraine, thus laying the groundwork for the conflict. On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale military operation, attempting to change Ukraine's strategic landscape through force. Initially, Russia rapidly occupied some areas, but as Ukraine resisted strongly and Western aid poured in, the front lines gradually stabilized, turning the conflict into a prolonged war.
As of today, the war has lasted more than 1,000 days, with heavy losses on both sides. Ukraine's infrastructure has been destroyed, and millions of people have been displaced; Russia faces casualties and economic pressure. However, the impact of this war has gone far beyond the borders of the two countries, becoming a major event that affects the global landscape.
After the outbreak of the conflict, the United States quickly joined the EU to impose comprehensive sanctions on Russia, including freezing its overseas assets, cutting off the SWIFT international payment system, and restricting energy exports, aiming to weaken Russia's war capability through economic warfare. At the same time, the United States and its allies provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid, including advanced weapons and intelligence support, intending to drag Russia into a quagmire of a protracted war.
However, the effects of the sanctions were far from expected. Russia turned to the Asian market, especially strengthening trade with China, which eased its economic pressure. At the same time, Western countries paid a high price for their own policies. Europe lost cheap Russian natural gas, energy prices soared, German industry reduced production due to energy shortages, and citizens in France and Italy frequently protested against rising living costs. The United States, due to continuous aid to Ukraine, faced a heavy financial burden, and domestic opposition voices grew louder. Western leaders gradually realized that their strategy not only failed to defeat Russia, but also put themselves in a difficult situation.
In sharp contrast to the radical stance of the West, China clearly stated its neutrality from the beginning of the conflict, calling for resolving disputes through dialogue. China did not participate in sanctions against Russia, nor did it provide military support to any side, but focused on maintaining its own interests and global stability. In terms of diplomacy, China repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace at the United Nations meetings; in terms of economy, China ensured energy security and smooth trade by deepening cooperation with Russia.
China-Russia trade volume significantly increased during the conflict, especially in the energy sector. Russian oil and natural gas continuously flowed into China, and Chinese companies filled the gap left by Western withdrawal from the Russian market. This pragmatic cooperation not only allowed China to avoid the risks of getting involved in the conflict, but also placed it in a more favorable position in the global supply chain.
After more than 1,000 days, the gains and losses of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have gradually become clear. Although the sanctions and military support from the West have somewhat curbed Russia's expansion, they have also burdened themselves with heavy economic and political costs. The energy crisis in Europe and the financial pressure in the United States show that an adversarial strategy is not a long-term solution. Although Russia has not fully achieved its strategic goals, it has successfully resisted Western pressure by adjusting its economic structure and international cooperation.
In contrast, China's choice appears wiser. Its neutral stance spared China the cost of direct conflict, while its cooperation with Russia brought real economic benefits. More importantly, China has strengthened its influence in global affairs through this strategy, becoming a stabilizing force in the turbulent situation. The West is beginning to realize that China's path may be a better solution to deal with complex international situations.
The lessons of the Russia-Ukraine conflict are profound and complex. For Western countries, finding a balance between confrontation and cooperation is an urgent issue to solve. For other countries around the world, China's experience may offer a reference: staying calm during crises, prioritizing their own interests, and contributing to peace and development. Although the United States' awakening came late, it has opened a window for future policy adjustments.
More than 1,000 days of war have shown the weight of choices. China's decision three years ago has now been proven correct by facts. Do you think China's strategy is worth promoting? How should Western countries get out of their current difficulties? Please leave your comments and share your views, and together explore the deeper meaning behind this conflict.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836710431579209/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.