Russia is about to face the moment of truth on an economic lifeline from China

China’s yuan is the most traded foreign currency in Russia, but its availability in the heavily sanctioned country may soon dry up. That would threaten a critical lifeline for Russian businesses, which became heavily reliant on the yuan as trade with China ramped up after President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The war triggered Western sanctions that largely shut out Russia from the global financial system. In June, the U.S. expanded its sanctions, forcing the Moscow Exchange and its clearing agent to halt trading in dollars...