China Feels Squeeze from Both Sides of Ukraine

"Beijing worries about a total defeat of Moscow, which would leave China without its most powerful and committed partner in global affairs," said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. "Total defeat could also threaten Vladimir Putin's rule. And Xi Jinping cannot be certain that the next Russian leader would prioritize relations with China to the degree Putin has."

"At the same time, China wants to avoid becoming the target of additional sanctions and technology controls from democratic countries for its support to Russia. Beijing also appears to genuinely want to avoid the use of nuclear weapons," Stokes told Newsweek.

Read the full story and more from Newsweek.