Russia-China ties were going to inevitably strengthen regardless of this war. There is no such thing as targeted sanctions against the Russian government, at le

Russia-China ties were going to inevitably strengthen regardless of this war. There is no such thing as targeted sanctions against the Russian government, at least in practice. Targeted sanctions are trivial to evade for Russian oligarchs and government figures. The aim of all-encompassing sanctions is to turn people against the government by making life difficult for the average person. Russian propaganda is going to blame NATO/the West - this also would have happened with or without sanctions. Sanctions are a tool to show the Russian people how much worse life can be as an isolated pariah state. Even if the Russian government pivots to China, that is a future promise that living conditions can be restored to their previous state. In return for that promise, China will make demands that amount to Russia becoming a vassal state.