US warns China of severe consequences for helping Russia, China rejects claim

Asia-Pacific, News, US March 14, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. officials have told American media outlets that China will face severe ‘consequences’ if it provides aid and support to Russia during its invasion of Ukraine and help Moscow evade sanctions.

Multiple U.S. media outlets have reported that U.S. officials are suspecting China would provide military aid and support to Russia amid its ongoing conflict with Ukraine. However, the Chinese foreign ministry has denied any of such reports and deemed the allegations as complete disinformation that is being spread by Washington against China.

According to reports quoting an unnamed U.S. government official from Washington who has confirmed the reports that China is set to provide military aid and assistance to Russia for its conquest in Ukraine.

In a related development, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is “communicating directly and privately to Beijing. There will absolutely be consequences for sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia”.

Sullivan further stated that “We will not allow anything to go forward and won’t allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world.”

In response to the allegations from the American media as well as the U.S. National Security Advisor’s statement, Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Information Department Zhao Lijian stated that the U.S. has been spreading complete disinformation and baseless allegations.

*^{Deputy Director of the Chinese Foreign Ministry Information Department Zhao Lijian. (Image Credit: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)}*

Zhao further added that China’s stance over the whole situation has always been consistent and concrete. China aims to play a constructive role in promoting peace talks rather than promoting military confrontation.

A spokesperson for China’s embassy in Washington Liu Pengyu also denied the allegations that Russia is asking for any military aid and China is ready to provide it. Upon being asked what kind of military assistance Russia has requested, Pengyu replied, “I have never heard of that.” He further added, “We support and encourage all efforts that are conducive to a peaceful settlement of the crisis.”

The allegations from the U.S. and China’s response come at a time when a high-level meeting between the officials from two sides is set to take place in Rome on Mach 21. United States National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is set to meet Yang Jiechi, a member of the Chinese government’s top decision-making body, the Politburo, and also head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission.

It is expected that this issue would also be discussed between the two sides in Rome where Jake Sullivan would spell out all the consequences and isolation that China might have to face for its support for Russia.

*^{U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. (Image Credit: AP)}*

China is a key trading partner and a current ally of Russia. Beijing has so far not referred to Russia’s actions towards Ukraine as an ‘invasion’ but rather called it a step that was taken to address ‘legitimate security concerns.’

Several western countries have been urging China to openly condemn Russian actions in Ukraine. However, China has made it clear that it does not support foreign intervention and promote a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Ukraine.