Commentary In the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) played the role of a shameful accomplice. The crisis provides a textbook example of why the world should not take the CCP’s promises too seriously. Since Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, the two countries signed a total of five joint declarations in 1992, 1994, 2002, 2010, and 2013, according to the Chinese embassy in Kyiv. China repeatedly pledged to support Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. In particular, the 2013 joint declaration, under CCP leader Xi Jinping’s watch, obligates China to provide security and protection in the event that Ukraine is under attack. The document reads: “In accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 984 and the statement of the Chinese government on 4 December 1994 on providing security assurances to Ukraine, China undertakes unconditionally not to use or threaten to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine as …