ISW: China disowns its "limitless ties" with Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin attempts to portray Russia as a respected world power against the backdrop of Chinese officials downplaying close relations with Russia.

Chinese Ambassador to the EU Fu Cong stated on April 5 that the Russian–Chinese joint statement declaring there were “no limits” to their ties released in February 2022 was misrepresented, calling “no limits” a “purely rhetorical statement”, according to the report by Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

The diplomat added that China does not support Russia’s war in Ukraine and is not providing Russia with weapons.

Fu’s statement is consistent with ISW’s March 21 assessment that Putin has not been able to secure the benefits from the no-limits bilateral partnership with China which he likely hoped for when meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Moscow between March 20 and March 22.

Putin also framed Russia’s efforts to consolidate control of occupied territories of Ukraine as a matter of internal security and rule of law during a meeting with the Russian National Security Council on April 5.

Putin held a televised meeting presenting ambassador credentials to the heads of 17 diplomatic missions on April 5, during which he highlighted Russia’s close relationship with Syria and cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), likely as part of ongoing Russian efforts to appeal to non-Western states.

Putin stated that Syria is a reliable partner with whom Russia reached several unspecified agreements during Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's recent trip to Russia on March 14.

Key Takeaways:

- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian forces will withdraw from Bakhmut to avoid encirclement, if necessary, but do not yet assess the need to do so.

- Putin dismissed Colonel-General Nikolai Grechushkin from his post as Deputy Head of the Ministry of Emergency Situations on April 5.

- Russian and Ukrainian forces continued to engage in positional battles along the Kupyansk-Svatove-Kreminna line.

- Russian forces likely made gains in and around Bakhmut and continued offensive operations along the Avdiivka-Donetsk City frontline.

- Russian businessmen may be assuming a larger role in supporting the Russian MoD’s efforts to form irregular volunteer formations.

- Russian Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova continues to deny international allegations that Russia is forcibly deporting Ukrainian children to Russia.