[nyokodo]

> The only thing that would prevent Russia from becoming a Chinese vassal is if they somehow wind up with a leader smart enough to pair up with India.

Neither China nor India have the military reach to defend Russia. The overarching reason Russia is waging this war is how blood curdingly difficult it is to defend Russia at the best of times with local populations, short (as possible) supply lines, and decades of preparation. Now bring in an Asian power that would have to extend its reach over thousands of miles through tundra and desert with hostile populations along the way. They're not even going to attempt to do that.