U.S. Urges Europe to Increase Pressure on China over Support for Russia's Military

The United States has called on European powers to ramp up pressure on China, accusing Beijing of aiding Russia's military expansion in the ongoing war in Ukraine. During a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns that China is contributing to Russia's ability to prosecute the war in ways that threaten European security.

According to U.S. officials, China has been assisting Russia in various areas, including the joint production of drones, space-based capabilities, and exports crucial for the manufacturing of ballistic missiles. The U.S. claims that in the last quarter of 2023, China provided over 70% of the machine tools likely used by Russia to build ballistic missiles.

The U.S. believes that Russian forces are making gains in Ukraine following the 2022 invasion, and Washington is urging European nations to pressure China to curb its military support for Russia. The European Union has also expressed concerns that China is supplying components to Russia that could be used to produce weapons, and fears that China might be emboldened to increase these shipments if the West's resolve to oppose Russia's war in Ukraine weakens.

Why this matters: The U.S. push for Europe to pressure China over its support for Russia's military highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The situation underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security challenges and the potential consequences of China's growing influence on the world stage.

EU-US Cooperation: Valdis Dombrovskis, a top EU official, stated that the EU is working with the United States to crack down on the evasion of sanctions against Russia. He also noted that while the EU has seen signs of China supplying components and equipment to Russia, there is no evidence of actual weapons being provided. Dombrovskis emphasized the importance of the West maintaining its resolve in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions on Russia, warning that a weakening of this resolve could have "very negative consequences."

Key Takeaways

• U.S. accuses China of aiding Russia's military in Ukraine war, urges Europe to pressure China.
• China allegedly provided over 70% of machine tools used by Russia to build ballistic missiles.
• EU sees signs of China supplying dual-use components to Russia, fears increased shipments if West weakens.
• U.S. and EU working to crack down on sanctions evasion, maintain resolve in supporting Ukraine.
• Weakening of Western resolve against Russia could have very negative consequences, EU official warns.