Commentary When the leaders of the West imposed economic sanctions against Russia for its war in Ukraine, China held back. This behavior calls for attention to the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Ukraine government. Ukraine Assisted the CCP’s Military Development Ukraine and the CCP regime established diplomatic relations on Jan. 4, 1992, almost immediately after Ukraine declared its independence in 1991, after the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Inheriting the military industry of the former Soviet Union, Ukraine developed close relations with the CCP; the CCP gained tremendous assistance in military equipment and technology from Ukraine. In military equipment, Ukraine sold its Varyag, which was refurbished by the People’s Liberation Army Navy and became China’s first aircraft carrier, Liaoning; along with the Varyag were the relevant blueprints. Chinese state-run media Global Times reported in 2015: “For 20 years, Ukraine has exported to the CCP more …