[namelessoracle]

My broader point is that there is basically only 1 country who could put sufficient diplomatic pressure now to make Russia change course, and they've already clearly signaled they will not put that pressure on them to do so.

The current status quo where a luke warm ally nearby country whose territory and resources you might want to scoop up some day and your major rival are both burning resources, while you get to profit being the middle man between the 2 benefits China greatly. Fully supporting Russia doesn't.