ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the evolution of the US role in the Russia-China relationship, with no intention to excessively play down the systemic relevance of the US factor. Russia and China shared critical attitudes towards the US, regarding its primacy in international politics as detrimental to their interests. In response to US primacy Russia and China adopted different strategies, which encompassed distinct combinations of engagement and soft balancing. The wake of the global economic crisis trends in the material distribution of capabilities between Russia, China and the US have run contrary to the political dynamics. The stress on flexibility of alignments between the three great powers, the utilitarian nature of Russia-China relations and the focus of Moscow and Beijing on developing ties primarily with the West seemed to be validated. The chapter explains the challenges of the dominant role of the US in the Russia-China relationship, both in terms of reductionist narrative and with regard to the flexible strategic triangle.
