China is considering supplying Russia with arms and ammunition for the war in Ukraine, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has said. Blinken says Chinese companies are already supplying Russia with non-lethal weapons.
According to different news channels, Beijing may supply Moscow with lethal weapons.
Blinken warned that China could suffer “serious consequences” for this.
However, China has denied reports that Moscow is seeking military equipment from them.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin and has so far not condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, he tried to remain neutral in this conflict and called for peace.
Blinken said, during this meeting, he expressed deep concern about what is being said that ‘China may supply Russia with lethal weapons’. So far we have seen Chinese companies supplying Russia with non-lethal equipment for use in Ukraine. But the information we have now shows that China is considering providing lethal weapons, and we are concerned.
He did not elaborate on what information they have about China’s possible plans. Asked what kind of equipment China could give Russia, Mr. Blinken said, “They are mainly weapons and ammunition.”
“If China arms Russia it will create serious problems for us and about us,” he said.
Anthony Blinken said there is no big difference between government and private companies in China.
He also said that the United States has a concern that China may help Russia avoid sanctions imposed by Western countries. China’s trade with Russia is growing, and China is now one of Russia’s largest markets for oil, gas and coal.
NATO member states, including the United States, are sending a wide range of weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine, including tanks. But no one has sent fighter jets yet. Blinken declined to say whether the U.S. would help the Chinese send warplanes to any other country.
However, he said, Western countries should ensure that Ukraine can launch a strong counterattack against Russia in the coming months.
(Written by News Desk using information from different news sources available on internet and Twitter.)
