Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to international condemnation, sanctions, and shunning of Moscow. But its heinous actions also led to a surge in support from fellow rogue nations China and North Korea. Misery loves company, and now all three countries, saddled with international sanctions for their transgressions against the global order, are enhancing their economic, diplomatic, and security ties.

Beijing and Pyongyang differ in their support, but both benefit from their engagement with their increasingly isolated and beleaguered Russian partner. Yet the China-North Korea-Russia relationship appears to be more of a series of mutually beneficial bilateral transactions rather than a solid trilateral partnership or alliance.

Hit with strong sanctions, departing foreign business partners, and freezing of Russian funds overseas after its 2014 and 2022 invasions of Ukraine, Russia desperately turned to China for economic help. Bilateral trade subsequently expanded, allowing Moscow to mitigate the impact of international punitive measures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin now describes Chinese-Russian relations as at their “highest point in history.” At the same time, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping characterized Putin as his “best, most intimate friend.” The two leaders have met with each other more than forty times since 2012.

Yet, despite Putin’s and Xi’s laudatory descriptions, the “no limits” bilateral relationship is not a formal alliance, nor do the two countries have a mutual........

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