Beijing’s cynical enabling of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine confirms why we can’t allow geographic distance to minimise our partnership with like-minded nations, wherever they sit on the map. Germany remains the world’s fourth-largest economy (fifth in purchasing power parity), a technology and research powerhouse, a highly successful democracy and, despite its problems, a leader in Europe. And, as China’s strategy sees the world, Europe remains the third most important pole of comprehensive power, after the United States and China, and ahead of Russia, Japan, India and the rest. A frightening vulnerability No wonder Beijing has been on a renewed...