Mikhail Khodorkovsky, a former oligarch and known Kremlin critic, has delivered a blunt assessment of the actions of Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly regarding their partnership with China. He took to social media to express his views and emphasized that Putin has marketed Russia's alliance with China as a triumph of multipolarity. However, Khodorkovsky starkly claims that this alliance has reduced Russia to being a mere supplier to Beijing.

His comments are based on a report from the New Eurasian Strategies Centre, which Khodorkovsky founded, revealing the depth of Russia's dependency on China. The report intriguingly describes the relationship as a "marriage without love," indicating that it is not a strategic alliance as proposed by both parties but rather a necessity driven by circumstances that could be deemed a necessary evil.

Khodorkovsky's remarks highlight critical concerns about the nature of Russian-China relations, arguing that the proclaimed strategic partnership lacks the fundamental attributes of trust and mutual benefit, and is more of an exchange-based relationship. This interpretation of the alliance may have significant implications for Russia's future geopolitical standing and raises questions about Putin's foreign policy choices and their ramifications for national sovereignty and independence.