China could aid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Here’s why experts say that isn’t likely

If China were to throw its full support behind Russia's invasion of Ukraine, it would "massively" change the conflict, according to experts.

China supplying Russia with military equipment — or financial support — to aid its invasion of Ukraine could have a serious impact on the conflict, experts warn. But it’s unlikely China will grant the reported Russian request, which Chinese leadership has denied they even received, and the Kremlin says was never made.

“I don’t think China can afford to be a full-throated backer of Russia,” said Melinda Haring, deputy director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center.

“Russia’s becoming increasingly isolated. It’s almost like a very large North Korea at this point. China doesn’t need that bad press.”

U.S. officials warned a top Chinese official on Monday about Beijing’s support for Russia in the Ukrainian invasion, even as the Kremlin denied reports it had requested Chinese military equipment to use in the war.

The day before, a U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters, told the Associated Press that Russia had requested support from China, including military equipment, to continue its attack on Ukraine.

Here’s what we know about the likelihood that China will grant it — and what that would mean for Ukraine, and the world.

There are a number of ways China could impact the conflict. With the second largest economy in the world, the superpower state has some serious financial clout — and it could use that influence to tip the scales of the conflict.

But so far, without much outside help, the invasion “has not been a piece of cake” for Russia, Haring said.