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US says China 'puts finger on scale' of Ukraine conflict
US Ambassador to NATO Julian Smith accused China of choosing sides in the Ukrainian conflict and continuing to supply dual-use goods to Russia for military purposes.
The United States is convinced that China is trying to appear neutral in the Ukrainian conflict, but has in fact chosen sides, NATO chief Julian Smith said at an online briefing for journalists.
“[The People’s Republic of China], given its scale, has chosen to support Russia in the war in Ukraine by providing Russia with a diverse arsenal of dual-use parts that can be used to attack Ukrainian troops and civilians,” Smith said. The diplomat stressed that the United States, along with its allies, will continue to point to China’s “significant support” for Russia.
In late July, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said allegations that China had supplied dual-use items to Russia “go far beyond what is appropriate” and threatened that China would “tighten the screws” and impose new sanctions on individuals and entities. Shortly thereafter, the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Commerce said it was expanding export restrictions on dual-use items. These included drones, lasers, infrared imaging equipment, and other equipment equipped with high-precision measuring devices.
In December 2023, US President Joe Biden also signed a law authorizing the Treasury Department to impose sanctions on foreign banks that support transactions with individuals subject to Russian sanctions or that assist in the supply of certain materials and equipment to the Russian military-industrial complex. This. Following this, several large Chinese banks began refusing to accept payments from Russia and restricting work with Russian banks.
President Vladimir Putin, who visited China last May, said the payment problems of Chinese financial institutions could be resolved. At a meeting between Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in late August, the two sides agreed to develop payment infrastructure, including facilitating the opening of branches and subsidiaries of banks in both countries. Ensure sustainable trade.
Chinese authorities have repeatedly refused to supply weapons to Russia. The Kremlin has said it has no response to China's position, and the Foreign Ministry has said China's support materials are false.