Russia and China shape global politics, but their relationship is far more complex than a simple anti-Western autocratic friendship. At an event hosted by the Academy of International Affairs and moderated by Felix Wemheuer (University of Cologne), Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik (University of Vienna), Kirsten Bönker (Nordost-Institut an der Universität Hamburg IKGN e.V.) and Lorenz Lüthi (McGill University, Montreal) discussed the historical and current dynamics of this partnership. Historically, their alliances have always been temporary, as ideological conflicts and power struggles repeatedly led to tensions. Even today, their relationship remains ambivalent, as both powers are frequently involved in strategic triangular constellations. The panelists emphasized that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine plays a central role in the evolving world order.
The public evening event marked the opening of the 7th Hermann Weber Conference on the Historical Study of Communism (2025), titled “War between Comrades: Unity, Division and Disintegration in the Communist World Movement since 1945”, sponsored by the Gerda and Hermann Weber Foundation in the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the Past.
