This strategy does not aim to create a rift between the two neighboring countries that possess nuclear weapons, writes Bloomberg. This is reported by Contracts.UA.
“I don’t know if we will ever be able to completely sever their ties with China,” Rubio told the conservative media outlet Breitbart News, referring to Russia. “I also don’t think that poor relations between China and Russia are good for global stability, as they are both nuclear powers.”
The publication notes that recent moves by Trump to engage with Russia have been interpreted by some analysts as an attempt to separate Moscow from Beijing, in a “reverse Nixon” style: the historic trip of President Richard Nixon to China about 53 years ago undermined the global influence of the Kremlin and brought Beijing closer to Washington, altering the international balance of power for decades.
While President Xi Jinping’s government praised Russia for engaging in talks with Washington regarding the cessation of the war in Ukraine, it remains unclear what such a thaw means for Beijing. The Chinese leader and Vladimir Putin declared “limitless” friendship just days before the 2022 invasion and united to confront America on the global stage.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed Rubio’s comments, stating that the relationship between Beijing and Moscow is not influenced by a third party.
“The U.S. attempt to sow discord between China and Russia is doomed to fail,” he told reporters at a regular press conference in Beijing on Thursday. “Both China and Russia have long-term development strategies and foreign policies. Regardless of how the international landscape changes, our relations will develop at their own pace.”
Rubio warned that closer ties between China and Russia would pose a problem for the U.S. if Moscow becomes “a permanent junior partner” to Beijing, pitting the two nuclear powers against Washington. Access to Chinese markets has become an economic lifeline for Moscow in the wake of sanctions.
“We may find ourselves in a situation where, regardless of whether Russia wants to improve its relations with the U.S. or not, they will be unable to do so because they have become completely dependent on the Chinese since we cut them off,” Rubio said. “What is a better outcome for us is to have relations.”
In recent weeks, Trump has made a stunning shift in U.S. policy towards Russia, sidelining Europe and pulling Putin out of isolation to initiate peace talks without involving other stakeholders. The Republican president has been accused of echoing Kremlin narratives, particularly blaming Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for the war's outbreak.
Xi reaffirmed his relationship with Putin last week on the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, stating that he welcomes positive efforts from Moscow and relevant parties to resolve the crisis.
Another sign that the partnership between Xi and Putin remains unchanged is that both leaders have announced plans to visit each other's countries this year, while Trump proposed a trilateral meeting between them.
In his interview, Rubio characterized U.S.-China relations as “the great event of the 21st century.” While he noted that Washington will face disagreements and confrontations with both Beijing and Moscow, Rubio emphasized the importance of maintaining relations with both.
“These are major powers with nuclear arsenals. They can project power around the world,” he said. “I think we have lost the concept of maturity and prudence in diplomatic relations.”