The United States has warned that China is considering supplying arms to Russia for the war in Ukraine

US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinkwarned this Sunday that China is studying the possibility of supplying arms and ammunition to Russia.

Blinken explained in an interview with CBS that China already provides ‘non-lethal support’ to Russiabut the latest information available to Washington suggests that could provide “deadly support”, which could have “serious consequences”.

“To date, we have seen Chinese companies…providing non-lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine. NOW we are concerned that the information we have indicates that they plan to provide lethal support“, he said.

Asked what lethal support would mean, he replied that “everything from ammunition to the weapons themselves”.

Blinken recalled meeting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Munich on Saturday, to whom he transferred the “deep concernof the United States on “the possibility of China supplying lethal weapons to Russia”.

The Beijing regime has even denied that Moscow has requested the supply of Chinese military equipment and has reiterated its position of neutrality vis-à-vis the armed conflict in Ukraine with recurring calls for peace.

However, Washington has already sanctioned a Chinese company for providing satellite images of Ukraine to the Russian mercenary group Wagner, which brings thousands of fighters on the offensive. In fact, Blinken pointed out that “obviously in China there is no distinction between private enterprise and the state.”

If this delivery of arms finally took place, it would involve “a serious problem for us and for our relationship” with Chinaa bond already strained by the recent downing of a Chinese spy balloon that Beijing says accidentally crossed the United States from west to east.

Blinken also expressed his fear China is helping Russia evade Western economic sanctions. Bilateral trade between Russia and China continues to increase and Beijing continues to buy oil, gas and coal from Russia.

Blinken had canceled a visit to Beijing earlier this month due to the Chinese spy balloon incident, which has become a major point of dispute between the two countries.

During their Saturday meeting, Blinken also told Wang that the United States was not seeking conflict with China, in a reiteration of the US government’s usual view since the start of Joe Biden’s presidency. “The United States will compete and defend our values ​​and interests wholeheartedly, but we don’t want conflict with the People’s Republic of China and we don’t seek a new Cold War,” Price said.

Blinken “stressed the importance of maintaining diplomatic dialogue and open lines of communication at all times.”

In addition to the balloon incident, Price said Blinken reiterated a warning to China for providing assistance to Russia in its war against Ukraine, such as helping Moscow evade Western sanctions against Russia. . “I warned China not to provide material support to RussiaBlinken said in his tweet. “I also stressed the importance of keeping lines of communication open.”

Hours earlier on Saturday, Wang renewed Beijing’s criticism of Russia for downing the ball, saying what happened did not indicate US strength. Beijing insists the white balloon shot down in waters off South Carolina on February 4 was just an errant civilian aerostat used for weather research that was blown off course and had only limited maneuverability.

(With information from Europa Press and AP)

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