The United States warned China on Wednesday not to help Russia launch a war against Ukraine and said it was “ready to take further steps if necessary.” In Italy, foreign ministers from the Group of Seven major industrialized countries gathered to reiterate support for Ukraine’s defense.
“We believe the People’s Republic of China is supporting Russia’s war effort and doing so by helping to boost its defense production,” Vedant Patel, principal deputy spokesman for the U.S. State Department, told reporters at a news conference in Washington. Target.”
He said: “Specifically, China is providing Russia with a large number of machine tools, microelectronics, optics, drones, etc. [unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones] and cruise missile technology, as well as nitrocellulose, which Russia uses to make weapons propellant. “
Patel said the United States believes the materials “are filling critical gaps in Russia’s defense production cycle” and will help revitalize Russia’s defense industrial base.
“China’s support is actively promoting Russia’s war in Ukraine, which poses a major threat to European security,” he added. “We have imposed sanctions on relevant Chinese companies and are prepared to take further measures if necessary.”
Blinken talks with G7 leaders
On the Italian island of Capri, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will hold talks this week with foreign ministers from other G7 countries including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from the European Union. Topics include Ukraine support, Middle East crisis, instability in Haiti and global partnerships.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock said on Wednesday that G7 ministers will discuss how to provide Ukraine with more air defense systems as Kyiv faces growing pressure from Russia.
“We and our partners around the world must now be equally determined to defend against Russian aerial terror attacks,” Berbock said in a statement.
Blinken will then visit China, where he is expected to raise Washington’s concerns about Chinese support for Russia’s defense industrial base.
On the sidelines of a Group of Seven meeting on Wednesday, Blinken and Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani signed a memorandum of understanding to combat information manipulation by other countries.
Blinken said the two countries were cooperating on “all the most critical issues,” including helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression, dealing with challenges in the Middle East and sharing ways to deal with challenges from China.
Beijing has denied what Chinese officials called Washington’s “smear campaign.”
Mao Ning said that China regulates the export of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations. Relevant countries must not smear or attack normal relations between China and Russia, or damage the legitimate rights and interests of China and Chinese companies. A spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said at a press conference.
China continues to support Russia
After Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov visited Beijing last week, Chinese officials said China would “continue to support Russia in its pursuit of development and revitalization under the leadership of President Putin.”
They said the two countries were “committed to lasting friendship” and deepening their comprehensive strategic partnership.
Russian missile kills at least 17
In Washington, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denis Shmyhal. The two discussed the U.S. Commerce Department’s efforts to coordinate export controls and restrictions on sales of advanced technology to Russia with partners.
U.S. Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo said G7 finance ministers have been working on a plan to unlock the value of frozen Russian sovereign assets to aid Ukraine in the short term. But he noted that negotiations are still ongoing.
Ukrainian officials said early Wednesday that Russian missiles struck the northern city of Chernihiv, killing at least 17 people and wounding 61 others.
Dennis Brown, the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine, condemned the latest wave of attacks. She also stressed that civilians and hospitals must be protected under international humanitarian law.
In Chernihiv, aid workers provided on-the-ground support to people affected by the strike, including psychological and legal assistance. Their efforts complement the work of first responders and rescue services.
Some of the information in this report comes from Reuters.
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