As U.S. global strategy lags in the wake of President Biden’s tenure, Russia and China have entrenched a formidable partnership designed to challenge American influence worldwide.
At a Glance
- Russia and China continue to reaffirm a “no limits” strategic partnership built on mutual interests.
- Both nations are expanding economic, military, and technological cooperation to bypass U.S.-led systems.
- The “reverse Nixon” strategy—aiming to divide the two powers—has proven ineffective in today’s geopolitical landscape.
- Analysts warn the partnership is durable, flexible, and centered around shared authoritarian pragmatism.
A Tighter Strategic Embrace
In March 2025, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Moscow to underscore the ongoing depth of the Russia-China relationship. As reported by Reuters, Wang declared, “China and Russia are friends forever, never enemies,” signaling a continued alignment even as Western pressure mounts.
This visit came just days after the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, where President Putin used a meeting with Xi Jinping to reaffirm their nations’ united front. According to the Wall Street Journal, the two leaders touted a world order no longer dominated by the United States, showcasing the resilience of their alliance despite global upheaval.
Economic and Technological Synergy
The two nations are increasingly working to blunt the impact of Western sanctions by trading in local currencies and jointly developing alternative financial systems. This has coincided with a surge in technological collaboration, particularly in artificial intelligence.
Chinese AI firms like DeepSeek are emerging as regional leaders, and Russian interest in these capabilities signals growing synergy. These ventures could present new challenges for the United States, especially if joint AI or cybersecurity tools begin to shift the global tech balance.
Watch this analysis of the Russia-China alliance.
The “Reverse Nixon” Illusion
Calls to split Moscow from Beijing with Ukraine-related concessions—what some have dubbed a “reverse Nixon” strategy—have gained little traction. The original Sino-Soviet rift Nixon exploited in 1972 was rooted in ideology, border disputes, and mutual suspicion. Today’s partnership, by contrast, is devoid of such fractures.
As MIT foreign policy expert Elizabeth Wishnick explained, “There’s a certain amount of interdependence between China and Russia, shared goals, despite differences in many areas.” This realism-driven cooperation shows little sign of eroding.
A Global Order in Flux
The implications for U.S. foreign policy are profound. As China and Russia coordinate across economic, diplomatic, and security fronts, they are laying the groundwork for a multipolar world order. This makes them far more difficult to isolate or confront individually.
As Asia Society research indicates, the relationship is not merely transactional—it’s strategic and evolving. Washington must now reassess its approach, strengthening global alliances and doubling down on technological leadership to counterbalance this growing axis.
In a post-Biden era, the question isn’t whether the Russia-China partnership will endure—it’s how prepared the United States is to confront it.
