US says China is supplying weapons to Russia in Ukraine war. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Sunday that China was considering providing weapons to Russia in its war against Ukraine, warning Beijing that any supplies would “cause a serious problem.”
“The concern that we have now is based on information we have that they’re considering providing lethal support,” Blinken told CBS’s “Face The Nation.”
Asked what lethal support would entail, he said “everything from ammunition to the weapons themselves.”
Blinken made similar comments in a series of interviews with American television from Germany, where on Saturday he attended the Munich Security Conference and met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
He told Wang then that “if China provides material support to Russia or assistance with systemic sanctions evasion,” there will be consequences, a State Department official said.
Taken together, the US comments appeared to be among the clearest warning yet that China might be poised to go beyond rhetorical, political, or diplomatic support for Russia and be ready to help arm it in its nearly year-old fight against Ukraine.
Appearing Sunday on ABC, Blinken emphasized that US President Joe Biden had warned his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as long ago as last March against sending weapons to Russia.
Since that time, “China has been careful not to cross that line, including by holding off on selling lethal weapons systems for use on the battlefield,” according to an administration source familiar with the issue.
US says China is supplying weapons to Russia in Ukraine war. Lindsey Graham, a key Republican senator who attended the Munich meeting, said it would be a grave mistake for China to provide Russia with weapons, especially at a time when he believes Ukraine will triumph.
Buying tickets on the Titanic while it was sinking, he continued, would be similar to doing it now.
Graham, a well-informed foreign policy hawk, also stated that he believes the US will soon reveal intentions to train Ukrainian fighter pilots.
Today, I am announcing plans for an additional $100 million to provide lifesaving aid in Türkiye and Syria through @StatePRM and @USAID. The United States will continue to stand with the Turkish and Syrian people.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 19, 2023
