WORLD: China still seems to be hesitant to deliver weapons to Russia. Why?
Benner: Beijing is hesitating because the costs for this step would be enormous. Extensive arms deliveries to Russia, as both the United States and Chancellor Scholz have made clear to them, are a red line for the West. That’s why there has been, at best, clandestine support from Russia as far as military technology is concerned. We must not underestimate the time factor either: the weaker and more needy Russia is, the better conditions Beijing can negotiate for itself. For Beijing, it could at some point also be about highly sensitive Russian military technology and greater access for the Chinese Navy in the Arctic.
WORLD: Do you share the thesis that China will not allow Putin to be humiliated on the battlefield?
