The Inner Dominion will inform civilians under Roman rule that we are not bloody conquerors but spiritual liberators: we will ensure healthcare and food distribution to refugees and promises to establish any reconstruction to help house the populace. Romans should embrace the Inner Dominion's mercy; we are to free you from the chains of Rome and to save you from being subjected to brutal powers.
Insulting your new allies is a bad thing to do, usually. Especially after denying them land they have claims on.
The Inner Dominion declares that it will safe guard the Roman provinces from invasion... by declaring war on Rome and invading the provinces in a "Great Eastern Storm of Peace" to help Asians to be governed by other Asians.
Our cause is "Liberation of Asian provinces from European holding" and "Holy War to enshrine the Taoist faith and shielding it."
Just like the Federal Republic of Coastal Nations, the British Empire, and the Russian Empire.
The Roman Empire notes that it is a more Asian power than a European one, and it would be better served for the civilians of the area if the people were defended against the invaders of the brutal imperialists of the European Russian Empire. It is Russians who oppress the Chinese, not Romans. If the Inner Dominion of China does not rescind this declaration of war against the Roman Empire, we will all know that they are lying, evil imperialists.
Just like the Federal Republic of Coastal Nations, the British Empire, and the Russian Empire.
OOC: I am considering rescinding the declaration of war.
You stole Russian land from the Russian Tsar and call us the imperialists? Is what you did not imperialism? The unlawful taking of Russian land to provide for the needs of people over 2,000 miles away in Turkey?
Now, if you don't surrender the land properly belonging to the Russian Empire then we will drag the Roman Emperor out of whatever little desert cave he is hiding in, slap him in chains, and bring him home to St. Petersburg to force him to give it.
OOC: You've technically already threw your hat in the ring and withdrawing would could as a defeat.
You could declare war on the FRCN side, opening up a third front for the war.