Several new Defence Department officials have disputed contention that supporting Ukraine's defence could deter Beijing's plans for Taiwan While the Pentagon awaits Senate confirmation of its new chief amid fresh allegations of the nominee's history of abuse,

Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping share a broad world view, which portrays the West as decadent and in decline as China challenges U.S. supremacy in many areas.

Ukraine recently received a new Chinese ambassador, Ma Shengkun, and a new Ukrainian ambassador, Olexander Nechytaylo, has been appointed to China, although he has yet to receive agreement. Perhaps this development could bring some new dynamics to the Sino-Ukrainian relations.