Original Author: Feng Yujun
Feng Yujun, a leading scholar of China-Russia relations, outlines Russia’s evolving geopolitical posture and outlook two years into its war in Ukraine. Feng explores how Russia is adapting diplomatically and economically to war-induced isolation from West, including by expanding its relations with the Global South. Moscow’s relations with Beijing remain strong, Feng argues, although framings of the partnership as “limitless” have ceded from official Chinese discourse.
Feng Yujun, a senior Russia expert at Fudan University, argues that while Russia’s relations with the West have deteriorated precipitously since its invasion of Ukraine, China-Russia ties have been characterized by regular diplomatic contact, increased trade, and alignment in international organizations. Feng argues that strong and stable ties with China are increasingly critical for Russia as its international status and influence decline.
A prominent Russia scholar at Fudan University argues that the Russia-Ukraine war has accelerated disruptions to global supply chains, reevaluation of global trade and investment rules, and efforts to reform and reshape security architecture both globally and regionally. However, he sees these trends as best characterized as a “small divergence” in the international order, rather than a move toward a Cold War-style confrontation between two hostile camps. Notably, Feng makes a point to distance China from Russia’s war. He argues that given meaningful differences in U.S. assessments of Russia and China, Beijing can play an important role in reducing the risk of what he terms global “re-campification” (再阵营化).
An in-depth examination of Russian economic development since the collapse of the Soviet Union and an analysis of Russia’s future challenges.