Initially, the PRC was comparatively cautious about the Russian attack on Ukraine. In fact, at the beginning of the invasion, it was possible to meet with comments that Russia's actions completely amazed Beijing. This was not about excluding the scale of the action. It can be assumed that Vladimir Putin himself could have provided Xi Jinping that these actions would be concluded immediately as part of a "special operation". However, it ended in a full-scale war that the Chinese authorities most likely did not assume. In time, however, they began to see any opportunities that could be utilized in a larger game for the global South and against the United States.
