Ministers said the transfer of weapons parts would allow Russia to “reconfigure and revitalize” defense production in preparation for a war in Ukraine.
Foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) countries have expressed “strong concern” about the transfer of supplies and weapons parts from Chinese companies to Russia for the military attack in Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a meeting on the Italian island of Capri on Friday that countries should increase pressure on China, which the US accuses of supporting Russia's war effort through the provision of critical weapons components. requested the government.
This poses the “greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War,” Blinken said at a news conference.It shows that China is helping Russia rebuild its defense industrial base by sharing machine tools, semiconductors, and other munitions. ”
As they left their meeting in Capri, G7 ministers said transfers of such materials from Chinese companies were being used by Russia “to facilitate military production.”
“This allows Russia to rebuild and revitalize its defense industrial base, posing a threat to both Ukraine and international peace and security,” he said, calling on China to end its aid.That would only prolong this conflict and increase the threat Russia poses to its neighbors. ”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Verbock said Germany cannot accept China pursuing closer ties with Russia.
“We cannot accept if China openly pursues ever-closer cooperation with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine,” he said after the meeting.
Instead, Baerbock urged China to “use its influence to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin”.
Last year, President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced an “unlimited partnership” and a “new era” or “cooperation.”
China positioned itself as a neutral country in the war and offered to hold dialogue between the two countries. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated in March that China has an “objective and fair position” regarding Ukraine.
“Prolonged conflicts tend to worsen and escalate, potentially leading to even bigger crises,” Wang said.
The United States has repeatedly drawn a red line on China's supply of arms to Russia, but so far has shown no evidence that it has crossed it.
However, the US government has increasingly accused China of “backstage support” for Russia.
U.S. officials said last week that China was helping Russia carry out “the most ambitious campaign since the Soviet era and on a faster schedule than we thought possible” in the early days of the Ukraine conflict.
The officials added that China supports Russia in a variety of areas, including joint production of unmanned aircraft, space exploration capabilities, and exports essential for ballistic missile production.
