US: China is increasing sales of equipment that Russia uses to make weapons

2024-04-13 08:50:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

China has increased sales of machine tools, microelectronics and other technologies that Moscow uses to make missiles, tanks, planes and other weapons for its war against Ukraine, according to an assessment by the United States.

Two officials in the administration of US President Joe Biden, who spoke about the findings on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said that in 2023 about 90 percent of Russia's microelectronics was from China. Russia uses these devices to produce missiles, tanks and fighter jets. Almost 70 percent of Russia's imports — worth about $900 million — in the last quarter of 2023 were from China.

Chinese and Russian entities have also worked together to produce drones inside Russia, and Chinese companies may have supplied Russia with nitrocellulose needed to make rocket propellants, Biden administration officials said.

Beijing is also working with Russia to upgrade Moscow's satellites and other space-based capabilities for use in Ukraine. This, according to officials, will increase, in the long term, the threat that Russia poses to all of Europe. The officials, citing intelligence findings, said the US has also determined China is providing Russia with images of its war against Ukraine.

Officials discussed the findings before US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visits China later this month. President Biden has previously raised his concern during meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping regarding Beijing's indirect support for Russia's war efforts.

While China has not directly provided lethal military aid to Russia, Beijing has backed it diplomatically, blaming the West for provoking Russian President Vladimir Putin into making the decision to go to war. China has also not called the war an invasion.

China has said it does not provide Russia with weapons or military aid, although it has maintained strong economic ties with Moscow as Russia faces tough international sanctions.

On Tuesday, Xi met in Beijing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who praised the Chinese president's leadership.

Russia's economic and diplomatic isolation has made it more dependent on China, its former rival for leadership of the communist bloc during the Cold War.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who returned to Washington this week from a visit to Beijing, said she has warned Chinese officials that the Biden administration is preparing sanctions against banks, companies and leadership in Beijing if they help China's armed forces. Russia during the occupation of Ukraine, which is continuing./REL