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China must prepare for a Russia weakened by Ukraine war, analysts say
- A post-Putin era could be sooner than expected and raise challenges for Beijing
- China should also show a humanitarian side those suffering in Ukraine: observer
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China must brace for a weaker or even a “post-Putin” Russia as the prospect of a prolonged war in Ukraine increases, Chinese experts have warned.
Addressing an online conference on Saturday afternoon, the geopolitical analysts suggested there was little hope for a peaceful solution to the conflict, adding that risk of a nuclear weapon being used had not diminished.
“A protracted war is not avoidable … The deterioration of Russia is also not avoidable. This leads to an increased risk of a nuclear conflict,” Zhu Feng, director of Nanjing University’s Institute of International Relations, said in a discussion at an annual conference held by state tabloid Global Times.
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“The possibility of a prolonged war is the biggest strategic challenge and grimmest uncertainty for the world today,” Zhu said, discussing “how Russia and Ukraine’s conflict will end”.
“I am also concerned that a post-[Vladimir] Putin era will come early … and whether this means Russia will be in greater competition with the West or become more Westernised.
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“This will significantly harm China and be a huge challenge to our strategic partnership with Russia.”
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