Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to wait until after the Winter Olympics concluded before invading Ukraine, according to a new book..
The claim is made in a new book by Christopher Steele, a former British intelligence officer who authored the infamous Steele dossier on former US President Donald Trump and his alleged ties to Russia..
In the book, Steele alleges that Xi told Putin to hold off on the invasion until after the Olympics, which were held in Beijing in February 2022. Steele also claims that Xi offered Putin economic and political support for the invasion, and that the two leaders discussed the possibility of a joint invasion of Taiwan..
The book’s claims have not been independently verified, and Chinese officials have denied any wrongdoing. However, Steele’s allegations have raised concerns about the extent of China’s involvement in the Ukraine war..
If true, the allegations would suggest that China was aware of Putin’s plans to invade Ukraine, and that Xi may have even encouraged the invasion. This would have significant implications for the global order, as it would indicate that China is willing to cooperate with Russia in its efforts to challenge the West..
The allegations also raise questions about the future of Sino-Russian relations. If China is seen as complicit in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, it could damage its relations with other countries, including the United States and Europe..
The book’s claims are likely to be investigated by intelligence agencies around the world. If true, they could have a significant impact on the global order and the future of Sino-Russian relations..
