China is helping Russia undertake its biggest military expansion since Soviet times, ramping up sales of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for its war against Ukraine, according to a US assessment.
Announcing US findings, officials said China was helping Russia in the production of drones, space-based capabilities and machine-tool exports vital for producing ballistic missiles.
“Russia is undertaking its most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early on in this conflict,” the official said.
“Our view is that one of the most gamechanging moves available to us at this time to support Ukraine is to persuade the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to stop helping Russia reconstitute its military industrial base,” the official said.
US officials said that China provided more than 70% of the $900m (£723m) in machine tools – probably used to build ballistic missiles – imported in the last quarter of 2023 by Russia.
They also said that 90% of Russia’s microelectronics imports – used to produce missiles, tanks and aircraft – came from China last year.
US officials believe that China, anxious after its Russian allies’ early setbacks on the battlefield, has instead focused on sending material that ostensibly has non-military uses.
Blinken is also planning a visit in the coming weeks to China, on the heels of a trip by the treasury secretary, Janet Yellen.
According to a US assessment, China is providing Russia with the greatest military aid since the Soviet era, boosting sales of machine tools, microelectronics, and other technology that Moscow uses to manufacture missiles, tanks, aircraft, and other weapons for its conflict with Ukraine.
Since the G7 foreign ministers meet in Italy next week and German chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit Beijing this weekend, US officials are hoping that the intelligence’s release will incite their European allies to put pressure on China.
Officials from the US revealed their findings, claiming that China was assisting Russia in building drones, space-based capabilities, and machine tool exports that were necessary for building ballistic missiles.
Based on information provided to reporters under condition of anonymity, a senior US official stated that China has been instrumental in reviving Russia’s defense industrial base, “which had otherwise suffered significant setbacks” since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The official declared, “Russia is pursuing its most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era and on a faster timeline than we believed possible early in this conflict.”.
The official stated, “We believe that convincing the PRC [People’s Republic of China] to cease aiding Russia in rebuilding its military industrial base is one of the most revolutionary actions we can take right now to support Ukraine.”.
Without PRC assistance, he claimed, Russia would find it difficult to continue its war effort.
More than 70% of the $900 million (£723 million) in machine tools that Russia imported in the final quarter of 2023—presumably for the purpose of manufacturing ballistic missiles—came from China, according to US experts.
Additionally, they claimed that China accounted for 90% of Russia’s imports of microelectronics last year, which are used to make missiles, tanks, and airplanes.
China has not gone so far as to directly supply Russia with weapons, according to US and Chinese officials, despite repeated warnings from Washington not to back Russia. Instead, Beijing has resorted to arming Russia through heavily sanctioned North Korea and Iran.
According to US officials, China has instead concentrated on sending material that purports to have non-military purposes because it is worried about its Russian allies’ early military losses.
The administration of President Joe Biden is hoping that European nations can influence China, which is dealing with economic difficulties and is delicate when it comes to trade pressure.
While attending the G7 summit in Capri, Italy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is anticipated to present China’s relationship with Russia to other high-ranking diplomats from industrialized nations.
Blinken is also scheduled to travel to China in the upcoming weeks, following Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s visit.
In an effort to defuse tensions between the two biggest economies in the world, the administration is hoping that communication between Biden and Xi Jinping—the president of China—can help ease tensions. However, US officials have made it clear that they will continue to raise issues.
According to Kurt Campbell, the deputy secretary of state, the US has always prioritized maintaining the stability of Europe and will hold China responsible if Russia gains ground.
In a further attempt to undermine Russian export earnings, the US and UK forbade metal-trading exchanges from taking fresh Russian-produced nickel, copper, and aluminum on Friday as well as from importing the metals.
The London Metal Exchange and Chicago Mercantile Exchange will not be able to accept any new Russian production of aluminum, copper, or nickel, according to the US Treasury Department’s announcement on Friday.
As per the Treasury Department’s statement, “metal exchanges play a pivotal role in expediting the global trading of industrial metals.”.
