The leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) have convened a virtual meeting to support Ukraine after the escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Chinese observers believe that the West, anticipating a prolonged proxy war to deplete Russia, will continue to fan the flames by providing more weapons to Ukraine and should be blamed for the current rise in tensions, the Global Times reports.

According to Chinese experts, one of the key points of the future escalation of the conflict is the position of Europe, in connection with which they urged Europe not to turn into a complete vassal of the United States so as not to lose its independence and not to damage its own interests.

The G7 meeting was held after Russia on Monday launched a large-scale attack on Ukrainian facilities in retaliation for the deadly explosion on the Crimean bridge. It also comes amid a looming energy crisis in Europe that has shaken its unity.

Mao Ning, a spokeswoman for China's foreign ministry, said what is happening is alarming. She said China calls on the parties concerned to find appropriate ways to resolve the differences through dialogue and consultation, and China is ready to work with the international community and continue to play a constructive role in de-escalation efforts.

An expert on Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian studies told the Global Times on condition of anonymity that the G7 meeting in part helps the U.S. reunite its allies amid emerging cracks between the U.S. and Europe and within Europe over the escalating Russia-Ukraine conflict as well as the deepening energy crisis.

Meanwhile, according to the expert, the G7 meeting is also aimed at wearing down Russia's continued military support for Ukraine. According to the expert, increased military support for Ukraine will also be the West's response to Russia's attack on Kiev.

Chinese observers said that the U.S. and the West should be blamed for fomenting escalation, when the urgent task is to call for a negotiated cease-fire on all sides.

Cui Heng, an expert at the Center for Russian Studies at East China Normal University, noted that Europe seems to be consumed by the United States and cannot make decisions based on its own interests.

As for the NATO leaders' meeting in the coming days, Cui said that "condemning" Russia is likely to be the main agenda, given that the West has very few tools left to impose sanctions on Russia.

He noted that the West has been actively orchestrating an indirect war, and meanwhile the U.S. has also manipulated Ukraine through a system of external management. The system allows the U.S. to use the weakness of Ukrainian elites against them, and to spread disinformation in Ukraine, the expert said.

The Biden administration's waves of aid to Ukraine had unpleasant consequences at home, as Republicans criticized him for destabilizing the market and inciting war.

As for the further trend of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, in the expert's opinion, the degree of escalation of the situation in the future depends on Europe's position.

In his opinion, Russia's actions are aimed at forcing the West, primarily Europe, to change its attitude towards Russia. Moscow is playing its energy card to put pressure on Europe so that the latter does not turn into a full vassal of the United States.

Possible future scenarios include the independence of Europe from the U.S., indicating the possibility of a dialogue between Russia and Europe, as well as a split Europe, with some countries tying themselves to the U.S. chariot and others choosing Russia, the expert believes.