China’s Wison New Energies recently announced a sudden halt to their Russian projects, citing strategic concerns for their company's future. This decision, made in response to US sanctions on Russia's LNG industry, includes backing out of constructing crucial modules for Russia’s Arctic LNG 2 project. This project is pivotal for Russia's goal to expand its global LNG market share. China’s compliance with US sanctions underscores its complex relationship with the West, navigating between national interests and international pressures. This move not only impacts Russia's economic plans but also challenges common perceptions about the dynamics between China and Russia.

Following the most recent US sanctions against that nation's LNG business in mid-June, China's Wison New Energies said in a LinkedIn post on Friday that they are immediately terminating all of their Russian projects "given the strategic future of the company." Wison was hired to create the modules for Russia's Arcti...