British Defense Minister Grant Shapps today accused China of providing or preparing to provide Russia with lethal aid for Moscow to use in its war against Ukraine.
Shapps told a conference in London that American and British defense intelligence services had evidence suggesting that “lethal aid is now flowing, or will flow, from China to Russia and Ukraine.”
“This should worry us because in the early days of this war China would like to present itself as a moderating influence on Russia,” he said, adding that there has been a 64% increase in trade between the countries since the start of the war. the war in Ukraine and “they are covering each other’s backs.”
On the surface, China presents itself as a neutral observer of the conflict.
The Chinese Embassy in the United States refuted claims last month that it had not provided weapons to boost Vladimir Putin’s war effort, adding that it is “neither a producer nor a party involved in the Ukraine crisis.”
But while it may have stopped short of directly providing weapons to its ally, Western officials say Beijing has delivered drone and missile technologies, a variety of components used in the manufacture of military equipment, and has shared satellite images with Moscow.
A still image taken from a video distributed by the Press Service of the Russian Defense Ministry shows Russian troops firing a Grad multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) at an undisclosed position in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine .
A 120mm mortar crew fires shells at Russian positions as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine, April 27, 2024.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps speaking at the London Defense Conference at King’s College London
President Xi is not known for his effusive displays of warmth, but he pulled Putin in for a couple of firm, if awkward, hugs.
President Xi Jinping and President Vladimir Putin showed a show of unity in Beijing yesterday; There seemed little chance of No. 10’s application being approved. The two greeted each other warmly to discuss plans to boost their anti-Western alliance.
Speaking about the need to boost Britain’s defense capabilities, Shapps added that Russia, China, Iran and North Korea had been emboldened by what he called a quarter of a century of “Western timidity” toward internal repression and aggression in abroad.
He said it was time for “the world to wake up” and that meant all Nato members should start spending 2.5% of their gross domestic product on defence, a figure Prime Minister Rishi Sunak promised Britain would would be enough by the end of the decade.
Meanwhile, Dr Jade McGlynn, from the Department of War Studies at King’s College London, said a resounding defeat for Ukraine by Russian attackers would have disastrous consequences, not only for Ukrainians, but also for British citizens.
‘I think we need to be much more concrete about what is at stake… If Russia were to win any kind of victory in Ukraine, the costs to the British people would be enormous.
‘We are talking about an increase of more than 40% in energy prices, we are talking about the poorest 10% of households spending 25% of all their income on energy.
“We are talking about food price inflation of between 30% and 50% and of course we are talking about a massive increase in defense spending.”
The comments come days after Rishi Sunak called on China to use the influence it claims to have over Russia to end the war in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said last week: ‘We urge China to encourage Russia to end the illegal war against Ukraine.
“China has previously spoken about the importance of protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine, something we have engaged China in at all levels.”
But Sunak’s pleas are unlikely to make headway, with Putin completing a diplomatic visit to Beijing last week, where he enjoyed warm embraces with his Chinese counterpart.
The visit was Putin’s first trip abroad since his re-election in March and his second in just over six months to China.
Analysts said the trip underscored the importance of the relationship to Russia’s war effort and showed Putin and Xi’s intentions to forge a path toward a new multipolar international order where Western influence over the economy and multilateral institutions is greatly reduced. .
Rishi Sunak urged China to use its influence over Russia to end the war in Ukraine
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin hug after an informal meeting in Beijing, China, Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin review the honor guard during an official welcoming ceremony in Beijing, China, Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Ukrainian servicemen who recently returned from the Bakhmut trenches walk along a street in Chasiv Yar, Ukraine
“The China-Russia relationship is hard-won and both sides should value and nurture it,” Xi said after his meeting with Putin.
The hugs shared by the two leaders were still a far cry from the ‘socialist brotherly kiss’ favored by the likes of the Soviet Union’s Leonid Brezhnev at the height of the Cold War.
But Putin praised the “warm and comradely” talks, the latest step in cementing a relationship they frame as reinforcement against what they see as a meddling West.
He described cooperation between Moscow and Beijing in world affairs as one of the main stabilizing factors in the international arena.
However, in emphasizing the partnership, most analysts and commentators agree that, amid their ongoing war, it is Putin who needs this relationship more than Xi.
China has proven to be an economic lifeline for Russia after the West slapped Moscow with unprecedented sanctions on Ukraine, and Putin has spoken highly of his Chinese counterpart while waxing lyrical about his admiration for Chinese culture, even commenting that members of his family are learning Mandarin.