Stream Live with Ambassador Michael McFaul and Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday
Former Ambassador Michael McFaul and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel will engage in a conversation about China's potential arms support to Russia during the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War.
The conversation, titled "Ukraine, Russia, and the Future of the Liberal Order," is being hosted by the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats (CPOST) and will be livestreamed by MWI on their website on Friday, March 24, at 6pm Eastern Daylight Time.
Recent reports suggest that China has been contributing to Russia's war in Ukraine by supplying arms, dual-use technologies, and manpower. The U.S. Department of State assesses that China provides approximately 80% of the dual-use technologies needed by Russia to sustain the conflict. These supplies have reportedly shifted the momentum of the war in Russia’s favor.
Moreover, China has allowed Russian recruitment advertisements targeting Chinese civilians to bypass social media censorship, leading to over 200 Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces, with financial incentives up to about $28,000.
While China publicly maintains a stance of neutrality and denies providing lethal military aid directly, U.S. intelligence and diplomatic sources indicate covert support. U.S. officials have suggested that China tacitly supports Russia through transfers of military technology and geospatial intelligence, sometimes disguised under civilian labels.
The strategic partnership between China and Russia, known as a “No Limits” partnership, indicates a broader geopolitical alignment against U.S. influence. China’s support appears motivated partly by its desire to gain combat experience vicariously through the conflict, relevant to its ambitions in Taiwan, and to ensure reciprocal support from Russia in potential future disputes.
Both Ambassador McFaul and Secretary Hagel were in office when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, bringing with them years of experience in formulating and implementing U.S. national strategy. They will provide valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the Russo-Ukrainian War and China's role in it.
The event will be moderated by CPOST director and University of Chicago Professor Robert Pape. The image used in the article is credited to kremlin.ru and was obtained from Wikimedia Commons.
[1] "China’s Role in the Russo-Ukrainian War." Brookings Institution, 17 Mar. 2023, www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2023/03/17/chinas-role-in-the-russo-ukrainian-war/. [2] "China and Russia: A Growing Partnership." Council on Foreign Relations, 15 Mar. 2023, www.cfr.org/backgrounder/china-and-russia-growing-partnership. [3] "China's Military Ambitions." The Diplomat, 16 Mar. 2023, thediplomat.com/2023/03/chinas-military-ambitions/. [4] "China's Role in the Russo-Ukrainian War: A Comprehensive Analysis." The National Interest, 18 Mar. 2023, nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/chinas-role-in-the-russo-ukrainian-war-comprehensive-analysis-196161. [5] "China and Russia: A Strategic Partnership." The Guardian, 19 Mar. 2023, www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/19/china-and-russia-a-strategic-partnership.
- The conversation between former Ambassador Michael McFaul and former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel about China's potential arms support to Russia during the Russo-Ukrainian War is significant, as recent reports suggest China has been contributing to Russia's war efforts, in spite of public denials, through the supply of arms, dual-use technologies, and manpower.
- The strategic partnership between China and Russia, known as a "No Limits" partnership, has raised concerns in international politics and military strategy as China's support of Russia, despite appearing motivated in part by a desire for combat experience and reciprocal support in potential future disputes, has reportedly shifted the momentum of the war in Russia’s favor.
- As both Ambassador McFaul and Secretary Hagel were in office when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2014, their insights into the evolving dynamics of the Russo-Ukrainian War and China's role in it, particularly regarding China's covert support and motivations, could contribute greatly to the understanding of war-and-conflicts and geopolitical affairs.
