UK, US intelligence have evidence of China preparing arms supply to Russia
UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps (Getty Images)
The US and British intelligence agencies have evidence that China is preparing to provide Russia with lethal aid for use in the war against Ukraine, according to UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, Reuters reports.
"Lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine, I think it is a significant development," he said.
Shapps did not provide evidence to support his statement.
"We should be concerned about that because in the earlier days of this war China would like to present itself as a moderating influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin," he added.
China's position on the war in Ukraine
On the one hand, China declares its neutral position on the war in Ukraine. On the other hand, Beijing has not yet condemned its partner Russia for the full-scale invasion, nor has it supported the sanctions imposed by the West.
Moreover, Chinese leader Xi Jinping recently stated that Beijing supported a "political solution" to the war in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized China for supplying dual-use products to Russia. According to him, Chinese companies supply Russia with goods that can be used for both military and civilian purposes.
The Chinese leadership does not accept such criticism. Beijing claims that the United States allegedly wants to make China responsible for the war.
The Chinese authorities say that Beijing is not involved in the conflict and does not provide military assistance to Russia. They also stress that China has the right to trade with any country, including Russia.
