I would go one step further and remove all of the imperialist thinking in Russia, just to be on the safe side.

I want to note that the war has broad support among the Russian public, so while it might not be Ukraine they’ll attack another one of their neighbors if only Putin is removed. See: Georgia, Chechnya.

The doctrine of the EU so far, is to consider China a multi-faced player: a partner for cooperation, an economic competitor and a systemic rival (e.g. it’s possible to cooperate with China on climate, but not on human rights).

So far, China has also been a multi-faced player. Xi has patted Putin on the back and declared “unlimited partnership”, but no Chinese weapons have been seen in Ukraine. Chinese soldiers have been observed there, but they seem to be really few for a country of that size - either mercenaries or people obtaining first hand experience under mercenary cover. Too few to matter as soldiers.

China has warm trade relations with Russia and has helped Russia source technology and endure sanctions. However, they haven’t made a special and dedicated effort to insulate Russia from secondary sanctions, and several Chinese companies have applied sanctions on Russia as a result.

On other occasions, Chinese representatives have said nice words about Ukraine’s territorial integrity. But deeds haven’t followed.

In UN votes about Ukraine, China often abstains.

Officially, China doesn’t sell drones to Russia or Ukraine. In reality, both Ukrainian and Russian drones are full of Chinese parts. Ukrainian government is asking every bigger player to have a plan B that works without China, but few really have one. What Russian government asks of their drone makers, I don’t know.

They also need a regional human shield buffer against west

You don’t know shit about China

I would say something but trying to think logically alone is good enough to realise why china would even have this relationship

You left out russian invasion, coups, separatists, and terrorism inside Ukraine, Donbas.

Instead of filling your head with propaganda take a look at the map and russia borders and coasts. Measure the length of russia border. Now measure the length of Nato border with russia before Ukraine war, no way is russia cornered.

The most peaceful borders of russia with the least number of border troops are along NATO borders.

NATO and other reasons are just an excuse made for different sheeps. Russia wanted the warm water ports in Crimea and the water supply to crimea from Ukraine and eventually link up Tranistria. It is just expansionism Empire building. Putin already admitted it during the interview with Carlson.

Russia has zero security issue since they have most nukes in the world. It is other countries that have genuine security issues with russia and its nukes.

So what is the standard rusbot argument for Nato expanding through willing submissions from new countries where Russias policy with their neighbors is beating them into submission where possible?

The only coup is coming from Russia, and yes get your facts straight

Lol, don’t be a Russian sheep, do your own research