The Continental System or maritime power. A geopolitical conundrum solved

 Russia's reliance on a Continental System or Eurasian landmass model to break the power of the Western Alliance is based on the theorising of one Napoleon Bonaparte in the period 1799-1814. It is as doomed to failure as was the first Continental System and the other version of this landmass model, fascist Europe 1939-45.

Maritime power and Free Trade without restrictions will win out and navigation will triumph over trade restrictions in the form of financial and economic sanctions.

The failure of sanctions is Russia's hope because financial and economic sanctions militate against what it's ally ,China desires at least for the present era,namely,Free Trade (and navigation).

Maritime power enables,protects and guards free trade under the guidance of states, powers, principalities and dominions.

A new political balance must be struck in the world as China seeks to align itself with a strong military innovator and possibly  for future security distance itself from the economic "export model".

China has probably taken the wrong path in alignment with a former geopolitical leviathan. However,at the end of the day Russia is supplying China with natural gas to keep its industry running and is the senior military and diplomatic partner in this relationship. 

This twin  power nexus has the capacity at least temporarily to reach to Africa, South and West Asia and Central and South America.

Contraindications 

Mainland Europe stands rock solid behind the Western Alliance with only Ireland, Austria and Switzerland sitting on the sidelines.