Russian Military Alliance with Iran, China Floated on State TV

A guest on Russian state TV floated the idea of Russia forming a military alliance with China, as well as Iran and North Korea.

A clip of the remarks was shared in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Monday by Anton Gerashchenko, an adviser to Ukraine's minister of internal affairs. The guest, who wasn't named, was speaking on state TV channel Russia-1, where he appeared alongside host Vladimir Solovyov, one of the most prominent figures in Kremlin-backed media.

"Russian propagandists discuss whether a Russia-China military alliance will be possible in the near future," Gerashchenko wrote in a caption accompanying the video. "They want to include Iran and North Korea into the alliance. But they are not very optimistic about it, and [Solovyov] looks unhappy."

"I would like to return to the question of the Russian-Chinese military alliance, as well as the inclusion of countries like Iran and North Korea in this alliance," the state TV guest began.

"I should note that, in general, the Chinese are completely unwilling to formalize in any way the existing military, political, and economic ties between China and the Russian Federation, which are quite close by any international standards," he said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied any intention of forming a military alliance with China, although the two nations have maintained close ties throughout Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and declared a "no limits" partnership in February 2022, days before the war began. In November 2023, the Russian leader lauded a "high-tech" military cooperation with China.

Newsweek has contacted Russia's Foreign Ministry for comment by email.

"What Beijing and Moscow say about the unprecedented level of cooperation between our two countries is absolutely true," the state TV guest said. "Perhaps this has not happened since February 1950, when the Treaty of Friendship and Mutual Assistance with China was concluded."

"Under Comrade Stalin, the level was about the same as now," he said. "Moreover, at that time there was a war in Korea, where our and China's military fought shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy. But then serious problems arose, as we know, and this alliance broke up."

The guest said that China "apparently, does not seek at all to create any system of alliances."

"The Chinese don't need it and there are certain reasons for this," he added. "A military alliance is necessary for waging war. That is the only purpose for which this kind of treaty is concluded. The Chinese are not going to wage war with the United States, with the United West, despite the very serious problems and contradictions in their relationship."

Sam Etheridge, writing for the independent think tank, the Royal United Services Institute, published commentary in May 2023 that said that while the formation of a NATO-style collective defense structure by Moscow and Beijing is unlikely, China's policy on alliances could be adjusted or ditched if it suits its interests.

"Both countries have demonstrated flexibility in the past as international circumstances have changed," the analysis said. "The West should prepare for this scenario and understand what is driving the two countries together, particularly as continued pressure against Beijing and Moscow appears certain."

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