China helps Putin in Russia-Ukraine war - US ambassador in Beijing

US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns (photo: Getty Images)

The People's Republic of China does not maintain a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. It has sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin, states US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns.

The diplomat noted that despite claims of neutrality, China has been providing Moscow with various technologies and maintaining strong trade ties with Russia throughout the conflict.

He also added that the Russian invasion, now in its third year, has become an existential crisis in Europe.

"We think it's a major mistake to allow Chinese companies, by the thousands, to be sending so many components, technology components, microprocessors (and) nitrocellulose to Russia to reinforce and strengthen the defence industrial base of the Russian Federation for this brutal war. China is not neutral, but has effectively sided with Russia in this war," Burns said.

EU sanctions should be lifted

Meanwhile, China has urged the European Union to unconditionally lift sanctions against Chinese firms.

The EU's 14th package of anti-Russian sanctions included several companies based in Hong Kong and two global satellite giants. These companies faced stringent restrictions on selling dual-use goods and technologies that could potentially strengthen Russia's defense and security sectors.

On Tuesday, June 25, Beijing retaliated by officially opposing unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law, and sending strongly worded notes to the EU.

"The development of normal exchanges and cooperation between Chinese and Russian businesses does not target any third party," stated Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a briefing in Beijing.

China's cooperation with Russia

Officially, Chinese authorities maintain a neutral stance regarding the war between Ukraine and Russia. However, Beijing has indirectly supported Putin's regime by supplying components for weapon production and purchasing Russian oil and gas, which are under sanctions by the EU and the US.

Additionally, Beijing refrains from labeling Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an invasion and accuses NATO of provoking Putin. Before the invasion in February 2022, China and Russia signed a treaty of enduring friendship.

Recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that China will seek its ways to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Germany has appealed to Beijing not to supply dual-use goods to Russia that could be used in the war against Ukraine.

Russia and China have found alternative payment routes after the expansion of US sanctions.

Over the two years since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, China's support for Putin's regime has grown.

EU sanctions against Russia

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia began, the European Union has imposed over 10 packages of sanctions against Russia. These sanctions target the Russian energy sector, defense industry, and associates of Putin, with Russian assets being blocked in EU countries.

Last week, EU ambassadors agreed on the 14th package of sanctions against Russia. These restrictions will affect Russian defense, financial services, energy, and individuals involved in the deportation of Ukrainian children.