2023-07-28 13:46:51
Beijing “probably” provided Moscow with essential technology, including drones and fighter jet parts, which it is using to wage war in Ukraine, according to a US report.
A US intelligence report states that China is probably supplying material to the Russian army in Ukraine.
The report states that Beijing is an “increasingly important support to Russia in its war effort, likely providing Moscow with key technology and dual-use equipment for the war in Ukraine”.
Navigation equipment, jamming technology and parts for fighter planes are some of the items supplied by China despite international controls.
The report, published on Thursday, risks escalating tensions with the United States, which has already warned Beijing against aiding Russia’s deadly offensive in Ukraine.
China’s stance on the war in Ukraine is complicated, with the country being pushed and pulled in different directions.
Beijing did not condemn the Russian invasion and echo many of Moscow’s anti-Western assertions, but it also underlined Ukraine’s territorial integrity and laid out a peace plan.
China has already denied that it is sending military aid to Russia.
Thursday’s report also alleges that China has helped Russia circumvent Western sanctions, becoming “an even more important economic partner” for Moscow since the start of the war in February 2022.
Beijing purchased more Russian energy, including oil and gas re-routed from Europe, the report said, noting that Russia exported twice as much liquefied petroleum gas to China in 2022 compared to 2021.
Oil and gas revenues are a vital source of funding for Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Some energy sales to Europe have slowed due to sanctions, although Global Witness said on Thursday that French energy giant Total continues to buy large amounts of Russian liquefied natural gas.
While China provided the Russian military with non-lethal aid such as ammunition and uniforms, the US report concluded that the country provided Moscow with drones and drone parts.
Speaking to Euronews in June, Dr. Jade McGlynn, a research fellow in War Studies at King’s College London, said Moscow had been using drones and missiles to “terror bomb” Ukrainian civilians in a deliberate strategy to weaken morale.
In April, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangu met in Moscow to discuss military cooperation, which they described as a “limitless” partnership.
During that meeting, Putin announced that the armed forces of Russia and China were regularly sharing information, cooperating on military and technical matters, and conducting joint exercises in Europe and the Far East.
Por Joshua Askew
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