EU sees signs China supplying components and equipment to Russia – Dombrovskis

A top EU official stated on April 18 that the EU is concerned that China may become increasingly confident in its ability to supply Russia with parts needed to manufacture weapons if the West’s determination to resist Russia’s war in Ukraine wanes.

Executive Vice President of the European Commission, Valdis Dombrovskis, stated that he was meeting with US lawmakers while in Washington to emphasize the significance of granting the US’s military aid to Ukraine, which has been delayed.

Representatives from the United States gave reporters a briefing on the supplies China offered Russia. These supplies included machine tools, satellite imagery, drone and missile technology, and other items that, although not directly assisting in killing, were helping Russia strengthen its troops in order to continue its war against Ukraine.

At a Council on Foreign Relations meeting, Dombrovskis stated that the EU and the US were collaborating to tackle the circumvention of sanctions against Russia, but he did not provide any specifics.

According to Dombrovskis, the European Union was worried about China’s conduct in relation to Ukraine, especially in light of recent reports that it was sending parts to Russia, Euractiv reported.

“We see that China is sitting on the fence and looking at how to use this situation to its advantage, but unfortunately, recently, we also saw signs of China actually supplying components and all kinds of equipment to Russia.”

Although the material consisted of dual-purpose goods rather than actual weapons, he said the measures demonstrated the significance of strengthening the West’s determination to assist Ukraine.

The Vice-President of the European Commission stated that if the West “is not showing the necessary resolve in stopping this Russian aggression, putting sanctions on Russia, and providing all necessary support to Ukraine… It’s very dangerous, and it will have very negative consequences.”

Last week, a State Department official stated that they anticipate US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to raise similar issues during his next trip to China.

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022—which occurred only weeks after the two countries announced a “no limits partnership”—the US has cautioned China not to support Moscow’s war effort.

A Chinese embassy representative stated that China is not a party to the Ukraine crisis and that regular trade between China and Russia should not be disrupted or limited.