Quote Originally Posted by drillerpie View Post
Well the Security Council can't realistically do anything seeing as Russia and China are permanent members with a veto.

China is hedging its bets that by respecting sanctions but giving support and 'permission' to Russia to try and overthrow the post WW2 world order.

They can't lose either way. If Russia wins that strengthens their no limits partnership either Russia. If Russia loses they'll take advantage of its weaknesses to get cheap raw materials and investment opportunities in Russia's devastated economy.

The only way China loses is if it drags on in a stalemate for years, causing an economic downturn in the west which in turn means we import fewer Chinese goods. That's probably the reason why we're seeing Russian conscription shortly after the Russia/China summit in Uzbekistan. The Chinese have probably given Russia an ultimatum and a timeline to get it done or risk losing their support.
China might be rather busy right now sorting out this mess with Taiwan now that the good 'ole USA has started rattling it's sabre in it's imagined role as the world's police. Taiwan, though, just might turn out to be the sacrificial pawn if it means China doesn't side with Putin. It wouldn't be the first time an Asian country has bested the supposedly 'Greatest Country in the World', diplomatically and tactically.