Reports of aid to Russia undermine China’s declared neutrality in the war in Ukraine

This is what the think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said in a new report, reports Ukrinform.

Western officials continue to highlight the People’s Republic of China’s efforts to support the Russian war effort in Ukraine.

Analysts pointed in particular to an article published by The Times that Western officials revealed that an unspecified Chinese company is sending a number of military drones to Russia to be tested and eventually used by Russian forces in Ukraine.

According to a Western official, the Chinese company signed the agreement with Russia in 2023 and there was “clear evidence that PRC companies are supplying Russia with lethal weapons for use in Ukraine.” In addition, the official confirmed a September 25 report by Reuters about Russia’s secret weapons program in the PRC to develop long-range attack drones for use in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on September 27 that around 70 percent of Russia’s machine tool imports and 90 percent of microelectronics imports come from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong, and that Russia uses these imports to produce missiles, missiles, armored vehicles, etc. and ammunition .

Blinken added that China’s actions don’t “add up” because China talks about wanting peace in Ukraine but allows Chinese companies to take actions that help the Russian war effort.

“The PRC has repeatedly sought to portray itself as a neutral mediator in the war in Ukraine, and continued reports of the PRC’s support of Russia’s war effort undermine this claim,” ISW said.