China is between a rock and a hard place - NISS Chief Consultant Hrytsenko

She shared her opinions with Espreso TV.

"The Chinese document (titled "China's Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukrainian Crisis" - ed.) contains a clause on the territorial integrity of Ukraine and nuclear blackmail, which Russia does not like. But there are also clauses on unilateral sanctions. Of course, China is following its national interests when it points to this clause. China means sanctions against China, rather than against Russia. China's position in this document is not ideal for Moscow either," emphasized Hrytsenko.

The Chief Consultant of the NISS also added that China is between a rock and a hard place, because China cannot abandon Russia or lose Russia for security, economic and ideological reasons.

"But at the same time, China has to continue the line of confrontation with the Western powers. China's position was formulated in this document. Moreover, the Chinese realized that this document would be unacceptable in Kyiv, Brussels, London, and Washington. That is why they published it through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese understand that these points will not work for the Western audience, but the document received a positive response from the states of the global South," Hrytsenko said.

• Xi Jinping visits Moscow on March 20-22 at the invitation of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.