US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns says that China is not neutral when it comes to the Russo-Ukrainian war, and has sided with Vladimir Putin.
As reported by Sky News, Burns was speaking in the Chinese financial hub of Shanghai on 26 June on China’s support of Russia.
Burns said that despite its claims of neutrality, China is providing a range of technologies to Moscow while maintaining strong trade ties with Russia throughout the conflict.
“We think it’s a major mistake to allow Chinese companies, by the thousands, to be sending so many components, technology components, microprocessors (and) nitrocellulose to Russia to reinforce and strengthen the defense industrial base of the Russian Federation for this brutal war,” Burns said.
The US ambassador emphasized that China “is not neutral, but has effectively sided with Russia in this war.” Furthermore, Burns noted that Russia’s invasion, now in its third year, had become an “existential crisis” in Europe.
Chinese support of Russia
China has on multiple occasions since the start of the Russian full-scale invasion been accused of supporting Russia in more ways than one. For example, in April of this year, Julianne Smith, the US Ambassador to NATO, said China cannot be considered neutral in the Russo-Ukrainian war, noting that without Chinese equipment and technology, Russia would struggle to continue its aggression.
Amid signs of ongoing military integration between China and Russia, it has been revealed that China has supplied Russia with satellite imagery for military use, as well as microelectronics and machine tools for tanks.
Additionally, China’s support extends to optics, propellants for missiles, and enhanced space cooperation, according to one source.
Furthermore, in November 2023, Ukrainian forces uncovered Chinese-made munitions, including 60mm mortar shells at Russian positions near the occupied city of Melitopol, which is raising new questions about potential Chinese military assistance to Russia.
Read more:
- China provides geospatial intel and other military support to Russia, US says
- Politico: China “in fact picking a side” in Russia’s war against Ukraine, says US Ambassador to NATO
- Ukrainian military discover Chinese mortar shells in Russian positions
- German vice chancellor warns China of economic fallout over Russia’s support
- China pushes rival Ukraine peace plan before Swiss summit, diplomats say to Reuters
- G7 to caution small Chinese banks over Russia ties, Reuters says
