U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concerns about Chinese backing for Russia’s military during a trip to China, but the Kremlin dismissed the remarks, stating Beijing and Moscow will keep forging their own relations.
Concerns regarding China’s military assistance to Russia, one of the numerous matters endangering the recent improvement in ties between the two largest economies in the world, were voiced by Blinken on Friday.
Despite its “no limits” partnership with Moscow, China has steered clear of providing arms for Russia’s war in Ukraine, but Blinken said its supply of so-called dual-use goods was “having a material effect in Ukraine.”
China has said it has not provided weaponry to any party and is “not a producer of or party involved in the Ukraine crisis”. However, it says that normal trade between China and Russia should not be interrupted or restricted.
“China is an absolutely sovereign state, a powerful state that is able to defend and protect its interests,” Peskov told reporters when asked about Blinken’s trip and the U.S. pressure on China.
“At the same time, it (China) is our close partner. We will further develop our co-operation.”
