Why China Did Not Do a ‘Kissinger’ to Split Europe From America

Why China Did Not Do a ‘Kissinger’ to Split Europe From America

Europe would have given almost anything for peace, but Beijing had a different calculus.

Von der Leyen and EU officials listen to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing December 2, 2025, 5:17 AM Comment icon View Comments ( )

China has thrown its weight behind Russia’s war in Ukraine, but this has not focused European leaders’ minds as much as it should. From Beijing’s financial lifeline to Moscow to its supplies of critical technology to the Russian arms industry, the China-Russia “partnership without limits” has very real implications for the war in Ukraine—and for all of Europe’s future security.

Early this year, I argued that Washington reducing its commitments to European defense would tempt Beijing to do