A ‘Soft Alliance’? Russia – China Relations After the Ukraine Crisis

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Series Details February 2015
Publication Date February 2015
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A $400 billion deal to export gas to China, a $24.5 billion currency swap agreement, opening up to Chinese participation in infrastructure projects: from an initially apprehensive reaction to China’s economic rise, Putin’s Russia has made a dramatic turn towards China after sanctions were imposed in 2013 by the US, EU and other countries.

In ‘A 'Soft Alliance'? Russia-China Relations After the Ukraine Crisis', author Alexander Gabuev discusses how Putin sees in its Asian pivot a way to strengthen the most vulnerable parts of its economy: dependence on the European energy market, dependence on Western capital markets, and dependence on technologies.

Gabuev further explores the change in the relationship between the two powers. According to the brief, the danger for the EU in this Eastern rapprochement lies in the fortification of the Russian economy against sanctions, and in an increased assertiveness for China.

Gabuev sees two possible options for an EU response:

1. Seek to isolate Russia further by developing sanctions with the US against third-country companies that do business with sanctioned Russian entities

2. Create other options for Russia by allowing Japan and South Korea not to uphold the sanctions regime

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.ecfr.eu/page/-/ECFR126_-_A_Soft_Alliance_Russia-China_Relations_After_the_Ukraine_Crisis.pdf
Related Links
ESO: Background information: Putin: ‘Politics prevails in the oil pricing’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/putin-politics-prevails-in-the-oil-pricing-russia-to-supply-more-gas-to-china/
ESO: Background information: Ukraine, Russia, and the China Option http://www.europeansources.info/record/ukraine-russia-and-the-china-option/
ESO: Key Source: Euromaidan - Protests in Ukraine 2013 - 2015 - Key source http://www.europeansources.info/record/euromaidan-protests-in-ukraine-2013-2015/
ESO: Key Source: EU sanctions against Russia over Ukraine crisis http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-sanctions-against-russia-over-ukraine-crisis/

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