To answer, it is essential to place Russia’s motives in historical context. Since the conflict is essentially between Russia and NATO, the West must be willing to negotiate. Otherwise the struggle will be protracted, with no end in sight.

Ukrainians have paid dearly for Russia’s incursion, which most of the world believes was not justified. The Ukrainian people know they are fighting for their homes, and that’s what will ultimately tilt the balance on the battlefield.

China’s capacity to help end the conflict in Ukraine has been left in the realm of speculation due to the nation’s official stance of neutrality toward the situation. If China were to step up efforts to actively broker a resolution, these are the following steps they may take.

Sanctions placed on Russia by Europe and the U.S. have only allowed Moscow to continue making money off exports, while simultaneously strengthening its relationship with Beijing.

Russia’s war in Ukraine is the most disruptive conflict that Europe has seen since 1945. While many in the West see a war of choice by Russian President Vladimir Putin, he says that NATO’s 2008 decision in favor of eventual Ukrainian membership brought an existential threat to Russia’s borders, and still others trace the conflict back to the Cold War’s end and the failure of the West to support Russia adequately after the collapse of the Soviet Union. How can we discern the origins of a war that may last for years?

Recently Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi revealed China’s vision during the annual UN General Assembly. His positive words come at a time filled with pessimism around the globe, with the West attempting to damage China’s standing.

The war in Ukraine, whether short or long-term, doesn’t serve China’s national interests. While China and Russia are strategic partners, so are China and Ukraine, which agreed in 2013 to preserve national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Thus, for China, the only path forward is peace.

The Russo-Ukraine conflict has raged on and looks to continue into the near future, straining relations in Europe. The ripple effects of military conflict involving a pronounced foe of the United States has created an even more tense climate on a global stage that already sees U.S.-China relations declining at an alarming rate.

Taiwan and Ukraine have drawn many comparisons this year due to the perceived similarities in their precarious security situations. In the wake of the crisis in Ukraine, countries are watching situations like the one in the Taiwan Strait closely.

The many tensions that exist already between the U.S. and China already seemed to border unmanageable. And with the Russia-Ukraine conflict continuing to rage on, its long term effects will surely spill over into the relationship between East and West.