The UK’s claim that China is providing lethal aid to Russia in the Ukraine conflict has sparked a controversy, with the US expressing scepticism and China vehemently denying the allegations. Here’s the full story.
“Lethal Aid”
A recent claim by Defence Secretary Grant Shapps that China is providing “lethal aid” to Russia has sparked controversy and further scrutiny, even by some of the UK’s closest allies.
“We Have Evidence”
Shapps made the claims during a defence conference in London, stating, “We have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine.”
“Significant Development”
Shapps suggested that there had been a “significant development” in the Russian-China relationship regarding military support.
64% Increase in Trade
He highlighted a 64% increase in trade between the two nations since the start of Russia’s war against Ukraine, which he claimed was proof of the increased collaboration between Russia and China.
“Flying From China to Russia”
Shapps used the announcement as a literal wake-up call to NATO allies, stating, “US and British defence intelligence can reveal that lethal aid is now flying from China to Russia and into Ukraine. And this is new intelligence, which leads me to be able to declassify and reveal this fact today. I think it’s quite significant.”
“Time for the World to Wake Up”
He continued, “It’s time for the world to wake up. And that means translating this moment to concrete plans and capabilities. And that starts with laying the foundations for an alliance-wide increase in spending on our collective deterrent.”
“We Have Not Seen That”
However, the US administration, represented by National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, has expressed scepticism about the validity of these claims, with Sullivan stating, “We have not seen that to date. I look forward to speaking with the UK to make sure that we have a common operating picture.”
“Baseless and Irresponsible”
China has strongly refuted Shapp’s claims, labelling them as “baseless and irresponsible.” A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, stated, “We have noted that these comments have not even been acknowledged by their close allies.”
“Smearing China”
China added that the UK was “smearing China” with what it said were “totally groundless” claims, adding that doing so would not “resolve the difficult problems faced within the UK.”
Closer Ties
Despite China’s refutation of Shapp’s claims, the relationship between China and Russia has grown ever closer since the Ukraine war began, primarily driven by closer economic ties necessitated by the West’s sanctions on Russia.
Economic Lifeline
Beijing has provided Moscow with an economic lifeline, including supplying dual-use technology that can be employed for both civilian and military purposes, helping to mitigate the effects of Western sanctions.
Not Confirmed
Earlier accusations from the US indicated that China was supplying Russia with crucial components like microelectronics, which have been used in military equipment. However, direct lethal aid had not been confirmed.
No Signs
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, stated in April that there were no signs of China sending weapons to Russia.
“Provide Critical Components”
Blinken stated, “What China is doing, or what some of its enterprises are doing, is to provide critical components for Russia’s defence industrial base.”
New Russian Offensive
The backdrop to these strange diplomatic exchanges is the horror of the ongoing war in Ukraine, with Russia having recently launched a new offensive in the northeast, targeting Kharkiv with missiles and bombs.
International Faux Pas
Ukraine has been increasingly pushing to be allowed to strike back at targets within Russia, which had been something of a faux pas for the international community, with the Biden administration being worried about the possibility of escalation.
“Ukraine Feels the Need to Defend Itself”
However, this stance has changed recently, with Foreign Secretary David Cameron stating, “Ukraine has the right to strike inside Russia because Russia is striking inside Ukraine … You can understand why Ukraine feels the need to defend itself.”
Painfully Slow
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been calling for the right to strike back at Russia, especially as Kharkiv is only 20 miles from the Russian border, along with considerably more support from the West, who have promised much in the way of aid, but who have been painfully slow to deliver.
The World’s Weakness
Zelenskiy decried the lack of support for Ukraine on social media, stating, “This weakness is not our weakness, but that of the world’s, which for the third year already has not dared to deal with the terrorists exactly as they deserve,”
New Dynamic
The UK claim of China supplying “lethal aid” to Russia has introduced a new dynamic to the geopolitical landscape of the war in Ukraine.
Questioning Claims
With the US questioning these claims and China vehemently denying them, it remains to be seen if the UK can provide the crucial evidence to back up its claims.
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