"We have reason to believe that China engaged Russia and said: 'Don't go there,'" outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times on Jan. 3.
For negotiating with Russia? It makes sense, they’re an actual ally of Russia’s that they rely on. We can waggle our finger at them all we’d like, & they could do the same to us, but that doesn’t mean much. If China has something to say on the matter, however, their words would carry more weight.
Also, as others have pointed out, Beijing has been making lots of moves to become a key negotiator in places where America (or the west at-large) have failed (or are otherwise unable) to step in.
For negotiating with Russia? It makes sense, they’re an actual ally of Russia’s that they rely on. We can waggle our finger at them all we’d like, & they could do the same to us, but that doesn’t mean much. If China has something to say on the matter, however, their words would carry more weight.
Also, as others have pointed out, Beijing has been making lots of moves to become a key negotiator in places where America (or the west at-large) have failed (or are otherwise unable) to step in.