Despite public declarations from Vladimir Putin about an eternal friendship between Russia and China, a completely different sentiment prevails behind the closed doors of Russia's security services. Within the Federal Security Service (FSB), Beijing is not seen as a reliable partner but as a potential adversary that could pose a serious threat in the future. This information came to light through a publication in The New York Times, which references an internal document from the Russian security agency.
The source of concern is not economic competition or political disagreements, but a much more serious issue. An internal analytical report from the FSB warns that China is actively preparing to make territorial claims against Russia. This implies that the official rhetoric about a "no-limits partnership" might just be a cover for Beijing's long-term plans to revise borders. This stance is drastically different from what is broadcasted at the official level, where both countries demonstrate unity in the face of common challenges.
FSB analysts believe that China might seize a moment of Russian weakness to realize its ambitions. The document cited by journalists provides a detailed description of possible scenarios and the regions where disputes could arise. The focus is on historical lands that once belonged to China but later became part of the Russian Empire. The report emphasizes that Beijing has never truly accepted the loss of these territories.
This situation highlights how fragile geopolitical friendships can be, especially when territorial claims are at stake. Although Putin and Xi Jinping exchange handshakes and assurances of eternal support in public, distrust is growing within Russia's security elite. Fears related to potential territorial claims are forcing the FSB to view its eastern neighbor as a long-term threat to national security. Thus, the "friendship without limits" may have very real borders that China might want to shift in its favor in the future.
