In recent US-Russia confrontations, China does not sit idly by. From the middle of last year to the present, there have been numerous international hotspots: from the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan to the European debt crisis, from the Libyan war to the suppression of Syria and Iran. Among these issues, the shadow of US-Russia confrontation is evident. However, in terms of international politics, diplomacy, and military affairs, issues such as Syria, Putin's intention to return to the Russian presidency, and anti-missile systems in Europe have drawn global attention. The continuous showdowns and confrontations between the US and Russia on these three issues reflect the strategic game of verbal sparring between the two major powers, full of brilliance. As an indispensable third party, China's presence has frequently appeared, showing just how complex and dangerous great power struggles can be.
The most intense area of US-Russia confrontation is undoubtedly the public rivalry within and outside the United Nations over the Syrian issue. The Syrian crisis has a long history. Western countries, including the United States, are planning to impose their new Middle East policies on the region, aiming to forcibly promote regime change in Syria and use the nuclear issue to suppress Iran, gradually squeezing Russia's strategic space in the Middle East. The goal of the United States is to use various means to gradually remove all leaders of countries in the region that do not conform to its values, thereby controlling the region's geopolitical advantages and bringing the world's most important energy supplies under its influence. This will allow it to curb certain anti-Western forces' strong rise in the future through these conditions.
Although Russia has vast regions and no shortage of oil, to protect its strategic interests in the Middle East, Russia has taken a position very different from the West, loudly opposing external interference in Syria's internal affairs and clearly opposing military action against Syria. Russia's aforementioned stance has received strong support from China because China has long realized that the U.S.'s aim to control Middle Eastern countries and their oil is a dual-purpose strategy: to suppress Russia geopolitically and to control China in future world energy supply.
Therefore, Russia and China fully understand that although neither country can unilaterally confront the Western alliance led by the United States, the combined strength of the two countries is a force that no power or group can ignore.
Thus, on the Syrian issue, on the Iranian issue, within the framework of the United Nations, Russia and China tacitly understand each other and share mutual intentions. Russia takes the lead, and China supports from behind, complementing each other perfectly. By firmly casting veto votes, they have severely struck at the arrogance of Western allies.
However, Western countries will not let go easily. They are brewing a new round of conspiracies. Now, both Russia and China have dispatched special envoys or representatives to Syria in hopes of prompting changes in Syria or Iran, avoiding giving the West any excuse for military action. In reality, neither Russia nor China currently has the ability or determination to stop Western countries from using force, so both countries are trying to delay the arrival of military action through diplomatic efforts.
This year coincides with Russia's presidential election. The former President, Putin, who has served as Prime Minister for four years, announced his candidacy for the next presidential term. Although this was expected by most people, it is not welcomed by the United States. As a strong leader of Russia, Putin enjoys unprecedented support domestically. Despite some opposition voices, the majority of ordinary citizens still hope that Putin can return to the Kremlin to govern. Moreover, Putin's plan is to strive to transform Russia from a second-rate power into a world-class major power, not necessarily reaching the level of the former Soviet Union but at least becoming a new pole in the world.
This is precisely the situation that the United States is striving to avoid. The United States absolutely cannot tolerate any country, including Russia and China, becoming a powerful rival. Therefore, the competition and struggle between Russia and the United States are inevitable. The United States actively interferes and propagates while also vigorously inciting the opposition in Russia to protest and demonstrate, attempting to influence the votes of Russians.
According to Russian sources, the United States has played a key role in providing funds and "fanning the flames" in Russian domestic elections or public activities, giving firm support to the "anti-Putin" faction. Although China remains vigilant towards its future strong neighbor, Russia, Putin's leadership in Russia helps counterbalance the pressure from the U.S.
Especially during Putin's presidential term, he has almost always maintained strategic coordination with China and a communication mechanism on major international issues. Moreover, Putin has good personal relations with Chinese leaders. Therefore, China generally holds a positive attitude towards Putin's re-election as President of Russia. Whether among the general public or the official circles, there is an effort to give full affirmation to Putin's plan to return to the Kremlin.
As the two largest nuclear weapon-owning countries in the world today, the United States and Russia are arguably on par in terms of strategic nuclear weapons. Under the guise of protecting its European allies, the United States is actively building a missile defense system in various European countries. The U.S. representative to NATO said, "Whether Russia likes it or not," the Obama administration plans to establish a ballistic missile defense system to protect European allies from missile threats.