RIO DE JANEIRO: On Monday, November 18, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced plans to engage in critical discussions regarding the delivery of dual-use goods with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the upcoming G20 summit, in light of alarming reports indicating that a Chinese factory is manufacturing military drones intended for Russian forces.
According to two sources from a European intelligence agency, Russia has established a covert weapons program in China aimed at developing and producing long-range attack drones specifically for deployment in its ongoing conflict against Ukraine, a report disclosed by Reuters in September revealed.
The European Union has consistently urged nations around the globe, particularly China, to refrain from offering any material or logistical support to Russia, which has been engaged in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine since 2022.
Earlier in the day, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock strongly asserted that any assistance from China in the form of drone capabilities would “must and will have consequences,” highlighting the seriousness of the matter.
When asked if he concurred with his foreign minister and intended to address this pressing issue with Xi, Scholz reaffirmed his longstanding position against any delivery of lethal weaponry to Russia and emphasized the importance of discussing dual-use goods in such high-stakes conversations.
“I have always addressed the issue of so-called dual-use goods, because there are different practices, but we must not be naive,” Scholz said, underscoring the complexity of the situation. He further articulated his intent to express to Xi that the involvement of North Korean soldiers in the war against Ukraine is utterly unacceptable, characterizing it as a “terrible change” in the dynamics of the conflict.
In response to inquiries about the United States’ recent decision to permit long-range airstrikes by Ukraine on Russian targets, Scholz clarified that Germany would not adopt a similar stance by supplying Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles.
The deployment of Taurus missiles could only be contemplated if Germany assumed joint responsibility for target control, which would effectively implicate Germany as a participant in the conflict. “That is something I cannot and do not want to do,” Scholz remarked, firmly setting boundaries on Germany’s military involvement.
At the same time, he emphasized that the sophisticated weaponry already provided by Germany is intended solely for defensive use and cannot be employed to launch deep strikes into Russian territory. He noted an exception for Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, where attacks on the city have originated from just across the nearby Russian border.
What potential consequences could arise from China’s support for Russia, as discussed in the G20 summit?
**Interview with Dr. Emily Richter, International Relations Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Richter. In light of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s recent announcement regarding discussions with President Xi Jinping about dual-use goods at the G20 summit, what are your thoughts on the implications of potential Chinese support for Russia?
**Dr. Richter:** Thank you for having me. This situation is quite serious. Scholz’s decision to discuss dual-use goods highlights the growing concerns over China potentially supplying Russia with military technologies, especially with reports suggesting that a factory in China is producing military drones for Russian forces.
**Editor:** The reports from European intelligence about a covert Russian weapons program in China are alarming. How do you think this will affect EU-China relations?
**Dr. Richter:** If the allegations are proven true, it could lead to significant strain in EU-China relations. The European Union has made it clear that it expects countries to refrain from supporting Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. Any military support from China to Russia would not only violate international norms but could also trigger sanctions or other diplomatic repercussions from the EU and its allies.
**Editor:** German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that any assistance from China regarding drone capabilities would be unacceptable. What steps do you think the EU might take if such support were confirmed?
**Dr. Richter:** The EU would likely respond with strong denunciations and possibly implement targeted sanctions against Chinese entities involved in providing such support. Furthermore, we might see an increase in intelligence sharing among EU nations to better monitor these activities. There is a delicate balance to maintain—encouraging China to remain neutral while also firmly opposing any breach of international solidarity with Ukraine.
**Editor:** Lastly, with the G20 summit approaching, what do you anticipate will be the key focus areas in Scholz and Xi’s discussions, particularly regarding this issue?
**Dr. Richter:** I believe the focus will be on establishing clear expectations for cooperation in the global arena. Scholz is likely to press Xi on the importance of adhering to global norms against military support for aggressors. We may also see discussions about broader implications of such military ties, including risks to international peace and security. The summit presents a pivotal opportunity for dialogue that could shape future relations between these powerful nations.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Richter, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds in the coming weeks.
