‘The Ingraham Angle’ on Russia cutting off Ukraine’s sea access

ELBRIDGE COLBY, FORMER DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: Good to be with you, Bill.

HEMMER: Is there a chance the Chinese might turn on Moscow after this?

COLBY: I think there is almost no chance, Bill. I think the Chinese are probably trying to avoid taking as much of the blame as possible. They might be trying to adjust their tactics, particularly in this diplomatic context.

But I think that statement you referred to, Bill, suggested that there were no limits to the relationship between China and Russia, and apparently Xi Jinping put that in there. Their relationship is closer than it has been for 70 years. And I think probably if anything, the Chinese, like the Russians appear to have been surprised by some of the frustrations that the Russians have run into.

But both of them see the United States in particular and our alliance network as the core of their problem, and I think they knew that. And if anything, this is kind of going to force the Russians more into China’s embrace and make them more subservient. So I would be very surprised if the Chinese fundamentally change their tune other than some diplomatic tap dancing.

The Ingraham Angle