(Updates with statements from White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Congressman Michael McCaul)
Washington, February 26 Senior US government officials reiterated on Sunday that they had evidence that China was considering sending weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine, but explained that Beijing had not yet taken final decision and had not transferred any weapons.
This is how CIA director William Burns and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan positioned themselves in television interviews broadcast on Sunday.
His statements come a week after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken accused China of considering sending arms to Russia, in what was the first such accusation and something Beijing denies.
In an interview on CBS, Burns revealed that the message sent by Blinken a week ago was intended to deter China and show that the United States was aware of its plans.
“Secretary Blinken and US President Joe Biden thought it was important to be very clear that there would be consequences” if China sent military aid to Moscow, Burns explained.
For now, according to Burns, the United States has information that makes it “very sure” that the Chinese government is considering sending weapons to Russia, but has not yet made a final decision and does not made no transfer of military aid.
Although the arms transfer did not take place, Sullivan warned China that there would be “consequences” if it agreed to Russia’s demands.
“We continue to send the message to China that it would be wrong to send military aid to Russia at this time as they use their weapons to bomb cities, kill civilians and commit atrocities. And China shouldn’t want to be part of that.” Sullivan pointed out in an interview on CNN.
The US government has not disclosed what kind of military equipment China plans to send to Russia.
However, in an ABC interview, Republican Michael McCaul, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Sunday that US intelligence reports suggest China is preparing to send 100 drones to Russia.
Since the start of the war, China has maintained an ambiguous position: it has avoided criticizing Russia, which it considers its strategic partner; but it has avoided providing military assistance because one of its main principles in foreign policy is respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states.
Last Friday, a year after the start of the war, China presented a document in which it explained in twelve points its “position for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine” and in which it underlined the need for dialogue.
China has denied any intention to send weapons to Russia; but if he did, he would change the position he has tried to maintain in the conflict thus far.
According to the United States, Russia has already acquired weapons from Iran and North Korea for the war in Ukraine. ECE
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