US, China in Dispute Over Russia Arms to Ukraine

At a glance

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed “deep concerns” over reports that China is considering providing Russia with weapons and ammunition for the Ukraine war.
• China has denied the reports and Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to remain neutral in the conflict.
• The US has sanctioned a Chinese company for allegedly providing satellite imagery of Ukraine to the mercenary Wagner Group.
• China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said the country would publish a document that laid out its position on settling the conflict.
• Beijing warned that the US would “bear all the consequences” if it escalated the argument over the alleged Chinese spy balloon.

The details

US Secretary of State Expresses Concerns Over China-Russia Arms Deal

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed “deep concerns” over reports that China is considering providing Russia with weapons and ammunition for the Ukraine war.

China has denied the reports that Moscow has requested military equipment, and Chinese President Xi Jinping has sought to remain neutral in the conflict, calling for peace.

China’s foreign ministry said it would not accept “finger pointing” and “coercion” from the US over its relations with Russia.

Mr Blinken said the US had information that China was considering providing “lethal support” to Russia, primarily weapons and ammunition.

US Sanctions Chinese Company

The US has sanctioned a Chinese company for allegedly providing satellite imagery of Ukraine to the mercenary Wagner Group.

Mr Blinken said that if China provided Russia with weapons, that would cause a “serious problem for us and in our relationship”. Nato members, including the US, are sending a variety of weapons, ammunition and equipment to Ukraine, including tanks.

China’s Position on Conflict

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi said the country would publish a document that laid out its position on settling the conflict.

Mr Wang said there were “some forces that seemingly don’t want negotiations to succeed, or for the war to end soon”.

The Chinese President, Mr Xi, is scheduled to deliver a “peace speech” on the anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday, 24 February.

During their meeting, Mr Blinken and Mr Wang exchanged strong words on the deepening row over an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down over the US. Mr Blinken said other nations were concerned about what he called China’s “surveillance balloon program” across five continents.

Mr Wang called the episode a “political farce manufactured by the US” and accused them of “using all means to block and suppress China”. China has denied sending a spy balloon.

Beijing warned that the US would “bear all the consequences” if it escalated the argument over the balloon.