Fact-check: War on the Rocks is a reputable source for geopolitical analysis. Recent X posts consistently discuss Russia's increasing economic and military dependence on China due to the Ukraine war, portraying it as a vassal or junior partner, aligning with the article's claims. No evidence contradicts the analysis.
An analytical piece from War on the Rocks draws a historical parallel between medieval Muscovy's vassal relationship with the Mongols and Russia's growing structural dependence on China today. The author argues that Putin's regime has become reliant on Beijing not only to sustain its war in Ukraine but also to maintain domestic stability. The piece examines the geopolitical implications of this deepening asymmetric relationship between Moscow and Beijing.