Ninety-seven percent of Russia’s combat power is tied up in Ukraine. They have stripped their Pacific borders with all nations. China probably wants a deal for that territory. They’ll trade all the weapons and ammunition Russia needs for all the territory on their borders. Russia will not be able to refuse. Also, the smaller countries making up the Russian federation have been problematic since day one. China has been gaining influence there since the Belt and Road initiative. Putin either agrees to give up territory or he loses in Ukraine. Xi has to come home with a win to stay in power. I don’t think the world is ready if this happens.
If you look at the Chinese/Russian border on satellite photos, you’ll see the Chinese side looks built up like a huge city. The Russian side is empty land. Many Chinese have illegally immigrated onto the Russian side so in many cases Chinese is the commonly spoken language. Also, there’s a lot of historic connections at least as great as the historic connection between Russia and Ukraine. I can see Putin’s Ukraine-is-historically-Russian arguments playing out badly for him on the Chinese border.
“the Amur lands have historically been Chinese, so they should be returned to China immediately”
—”Russia will not be able to refuse. “
BINGO!!!
Such a deal.
Before the latest Russian attempted land grab, I saw an article where the Russians in the border areas were calling it a “suitcase invasion” by the Chinese.
No need for kinetic action, a simple business transaction will suffice.
Such a deal.