- G7 expresses concern over China’s weapon support for Russia
- US urges increased pressure on China for aiding Russia
- Germany insists China halt support for Russia’s military activities
The “strong concern” expressed by foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations regarding transferring weapon components and materials from Chinese enterprises to Russia in preparation for its military offensive in Ukraine has been documented.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken exhorted his counterparts on Friday at a meeting on the Italian island of Capri to increase pressure on China, which the United States accuses of assisting Russia’s war effort by supplying critical components for weaponry.
Blinken stated at a news conference that this contributed to “the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War.” “We observe China sharing dual-use items such as machine tools, semiconductors, and others that have assisted Russia in reestablishing its defence industrial base.”
After meeting on Capri, the G7 ministers stated that Russia was “advancing its military production” by transferring such materials from Chinese companies.
“This allows Russia to reestablish and rejuvenate its defence industrial base, which poses a threat to international peace and security and Ukraine,” they said, urging China to cease its support “because it will only prolong this conflict and increase the threat that Russia poses to its neighbours.”
Germany’s foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, stated that her nation could not permit China to develop closer ties with Russia.
After the meeting, she stated, “We cannot accept it if China openly pursues an ever-closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine.”
Baerbock urged China to “utilise its influence over [Russian President Vladimir] Putin.”
The two leaders of China and Russia, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, declared a “new era” of cooperation and a “no limits partnership” last year.
China has extended an offer to facilitate negotiations between the two factions while maintaining a neutral stance. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed the “objective and impartial position” of Beijing regarding Ukraine in March.
Wang stated, “Prolonged conflict tends to deteriorate and escalate, which may result in an even greater crisis.”
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Even though the United States has repeatedly warned China against supplying weapons to Russia, it has yet to provide evidence that this red line has been crossed.
Nevertheless, the United States has grown more adamant in denouncing what it labels “backdoor support” for Russia by China.
Early in the Ukraine conflict, senior US officials stated last week that China was assisting Russia in conducting “its most ambitious defence expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible.”
According to officials, China was assisting Russia in numerous areas, including the collaborative production of drones, space-based capabilities, and exports indispensable for the manufacture of ballistic missiles.
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