US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US is concerned about China’s support for the Russian military, specifically that Beijing is considering providing lethal weapons to Moscow.
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand reported about these concerns on Saturday, citing US officials.
“We’ve been watching this very closely,” Blinken told CBS’s “Face The Nation” while in Munich, Germany. He said the US has seen Chinese companies provide nonlethal assistance to Russia.
“The concern we have now is based on the information we have that they are looking at providing damage support and we have made it very clear to them that it will cause serious problems for the player. us and in our relationship,” Blinken said.
Blinken clarifies that “lethal assist” refers to weapons, among other items.
“There are a lot of things that fit into that category, everything from ammunition to weapons,” he told CBS.
CNN Saturday report According to US officials, there are signs that Beijing wants to “go to the limit” of providing lethal military aid to Russia without being caught.
In an interview with NBC Sunday, Blinken also declined to provide evidence the US has, but said he believes it will be “coming out soon”.
Officials have been sharing intelligence with allies and partners at the Munich Security Conference over the past few days.
Aid to Ukraine: Regarding the weapons and equipment the US plans to provide Ukraine, Blinken did not say whether he expected a policy change to give the green light to US warplanes. Blinken said training Ukrainian fighters on unfamiliar equipment was a challenge, but reiterated that the US continues to talk to Kiev about what it needs.
He said it is important for Ukraine to prepare for what Blinken predicts will be its own counterattack against Russia.
