US, Europe & CIA Warn China on Supplying Lethal Aid to Russia in Ukraine War
The United States is increasingly concerned that China may be supplying weapons or ammunition to Russia, a move that would have serious consequences for both Washington and Beijing. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China against such a move last week, saying that the U.S. believes China has already been supplying Russia with “some non-lethal, dual-use type support”.[0]
Now, the Pentagon has joined the Biden Administration’s chorus, warning that China has been contemplating sending lethal aid to Russia in its war against Ukraine.[1] This would give a much-needed boost to Moscow's fledgling war effort and depleted stockpile of munitions, and the U.S. has warned China there would be serious consequences for such a move.
Europe’s top diplomat said the West needs to be vigilant when it comes to support for Russia from China, and the CIA Director Bill Burns told CBS News last week that he is confident China is considering providing lethal aid to Moscow.[2]
China has denied the accusation and has instead pointed a finger at the U.S. and its allies for fueling the conflict by providing Ukraine with weapons.[3] Beijing has instead proposed a 12-point plan to end the war in Ukraine, and has offered to play a “constructive” role in bringing about the end of the war.[4]
China's proposal for peace in Ukraine calls for formal respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, protections for Ukrainian civilians, an end to interference with the flow of humanitarian aid into the country, and condemnation of the possible use of nuclear weapons.[5] It also reflects the views of those around the world whose primary interest in the war is economic, by calling for a ceasefire, an end to sanctions, and the opening of peace talks that might help ease pressure on food and fuel prices.[6]
China may be looking for commercial opportunities by playing the role of moderator, and could turn the talks into a device for penetrating the regions surrounding Ukraine both commercially and diplomatically. The Chinese would also hope to expand commercial contacts throughout eastern Europe, and would strike great deals with the Russians, who would want in effect to bribe the Chinese into almost openly pro-Russian “neutrality”.[7]
Though China's proposal for ending the war may be positive, the potential for success relies not simply on the responses from Russia or Ukraine, because Ukraine’s actual sovereignty has been hijacked in the service of the U.S. and its allies.[1]
0. “China’s Military Support for Russia is Cryptic on Purpose” TIME, 2 Mar. 2023, https://time.com/6259688/china-russia-dual-use-military-civil-fusion-strategy/
1. “China's peace plan shot down by Western propaganda machine” Independent Australia, 2 Mar. 2023, https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/chinas-peace-plan-shot-down-by-western-propaganda-machine,17287
2. “The U.S. has warned on China's support for Russia. Now the EU says ‘we need to remain vigilant'” Forex Factory, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.forexfactory.com/news/1208791-the-us-has-warned-on-chinas-support-for
3. “Chinese Weapons Could Sustain Russia's War Effort in Ukraine” The Wall Street Journal, 1 Mar. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-weapons-could-sustain-russias-war-effort-in-ukraine-65ca4163
4. “The U.S. has warned on China's support for Russia. Now the EU says ‘we need to remain vigilant'” CNBC, 3 Mar. 2023, https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/03/us-warns-about-china-support-to-russia-europe-says-we-need-to-remain-vigilant.html
5. “China's position on political settlement of Ukraine crisis merits support, says Thai expert” Xinhua, 4 Mar. 2023, https://english.news.cn/20230304/403ffd58153646d39093429da7a11772/c.html
6. “China's Fraught Peace Plan To End the War in Ukraine” TIME, 2 Mar. 2023, https://time.com/6259621/china-ukraine-war-peace-plan-consequences
7. “China as ‘honest broker'” 코리아타임스, 2 Mar. 2023, https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2023/03/353_346288.html
