China and Russia declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022 when Putin visited Beijing, days before he sent tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine. Putin has sometimes described China as an "ally". The US casts China as its biggest competitor and Russia as its biggest nation-state threat.

In a major shift toward Ukraine, Trump announces a plan to send weapons, including Patriot systems, and threatens 100 percent tariffs if Russia doesn’t reach a deal soon.