U.S. Secretary of State Brinken meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba in Munich, Germany on June 18./Petr David Josek/AFP/Pool/Getty Images
2023.02.19 Sun posted at 14:27 JST
(CNN) Concerns have been raised that China is secretly offering deadly weapons to Russia. U.S. officials familiar with the information the U.S. collects told CNN.
Officials did not disclose the specifics of the intelligence obtained by the United States, but the information was shared with allies and partners at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, they said.
US Secretary of State Brinken raised the issue in a meeting with China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, a member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of China on the 18th.
U.S. Vice President Harris also voiced concerns at the conference that China is deepening its ties with Russia.
In his speech at the conference, Mr Wang said he wanted to present a peace proposal to Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing cooperation with Europe.
Following the speech, CNN asked European Commission President von der Leyen if he thought China was following a European ban on military aid to Russia.
Mr von der Leyen replied that it “seems to be the other way around” and that “it remains questionable”, adding that more evidence and action are needed to show that China is not helping Russia.
Brinken said in an interview with CBS TV that aired on the 18th that Chinese companies are considering providing lethal weapons in addition to the non-lethal equipment that has been sent to Russia so far. Said. He pointed out that Chinese companies are no different from the state. The United States has already given China a clear warning of the serious consequences of providing arms to Russia, he said.
Just before Russia invaded Ukraine, it had declared “infinite” friendship with China. Wang plans to visit Russia this month.
US and Chinese diplomats meet