It is not a question here of spy balloons but of companies. France is monitoring the activity of Chinese companies likely to provide aid to Russia, the French Foreign Minister said on Tuesday, as the Sino-Russian rapprochement worries more and more Westerners. “There are private Chinese companies whose activity we are watching closely,” said Catherine Colonna, when asked about a potential strategic partnership between China and Russia on the public television channel France 5.
Last weekend, US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken told CBS News that Chinese companies were already providing “non-lethal aid” for the Russian war effort. He then noted that there was “no distinction between private companies and state companies”. Beyond pure armament, a whole arsenal of help can be considered such as bulletproof vests, food rations, etc.
Asked about the location of these companies, particularly on the Ukrainian ground, Catherine Colonna replied that they were “not necessarily on the ground”. The Minister also assured that France spoke “completely diplomatically and quite clearly” to Beijing of its wish that Beijing “not lend a hand to Russia”, also emphasizing that she preferred “to retain the attachment of China to the stability that benefits it in the long term”.
Finally, she felt that Westerners should see more clearly about China’s position in New York, during the meeting of the UN Security Council on February 24, a date which will mark the first anniversary of the invasion of China. Ukraine by Russia. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday that he was “increasingly worried” about possible military support from China to Russia.
European Foreign Minister Josep Borrell said his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, assured him that China was not supplying arms to Russia and had no plans to do so.