World Affairs International

The Russian advance continues to be stalled, as the beginnings of the Ukrainian counteroffensive relieve the city of Mykolaiv from ground assaults.

Analysts have identified four key regions to watch in the coming weeks; Mariupol, Mykolaiv, Kyiv, and the frontlines of the Donbas. These regions are critical to Ukraine’s defense:

• Mariupol, the bastion of Eastern Ukraine,
• Mykolaiv, blocking Russian land access to Odesa,
• Kyiv, housing the capital and Ukraine’s leadership,
• The Donbas, where a good portion of the Ukrainian military likely remains stationed.

Each of these regions has given Russia stiff resistance and recently have begun their own forays to reclaim occupied territory. As Russia’s war machine and economy continue to exhaust themselves, it will struggle to find new reinforcements, with the military moving parts of the Russian army stationed in Armenia. To achieve a significant breakthrough, Russia may need to escalate or rely on outside support, particularly that of China.

President Biden and President Xi Jinping shared a 110-minute phone call regarding China’s stance on the war. Though China continues a very limited condemnation of the war, instructing state media to refer to both sides as aggressors, it has nonetheless heard Biden’s concerns and warnings regarding measures the U.S. and its allies would take in the event of China rescuing Russia’s economy and military .During the conversation, Xi indicated that China would not send materiel to Russia.

Part of the discussion seemed to have considered the very nature of the American.-Chinese relationship, with both nations assuring that their rivalry was economical and that both should pursue peaceful alternatives to their conflicts. Given China’s long-term economic strategy, their statement is credible and a good opportunity for Washington to continue engaging Beijing for post-war cooperation and the recovery of international law.

Sadly, this does not reflect a significant portion of China’s population on social media, which buys into the propaganda narrative that Russia is de-nazifying Ukraine and calling for what amounts to genocide on the Ukrainian people.