A United States official says Russia has asked China for military equipment to use in its invasion of Ukraine, a request that heightened tensions about the ongoing war before a meeting between the senior US and Chinese officials in Rome.
In advance of the talks on Monday, White House National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan bluntly warned China to avoid helping Russia evade punishment from global sanctions that have hammered the Russian economy.
The White House said the talks in the Italian capital will focus on the direct effect of Russia’s war against Ukraine on regional and global security.
A US official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said in recent days, Russia had requested support from China – including military equipment – to press forward in its ongoing war with Ukraine. The official did not provide details on the scope of the request. The request was first reported by the Financial Times and The Washington Post newspapers.
But Beijing on Monday accused Washington of spreading disinformation over China’s role in the Ukraine war.
Without directly addressing the US media reports of a Russian request for help from Beijing, foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said that The US has been spreading disinformation targeting China on the Ukraine issue, with malicious intentions.
Einar Tangen, the senior international fellow at the Taihe Institute, a China-based think-tank, told Newsmen that Beijing was not interested in providing military support to Russia.
