Russia says they have not asked for help.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that China will face negative consequences if it helps Russia evade sanctions in its invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. stated that China had suggested it was open to a move to provide military and economic support, including drones.
NSA Sullivan said the U.S. was “communicating directly, privately to Beijing that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them.”
“We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world,” he said.
He added that while the U.S. believed China was aware that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was “planning something” before the invasion happened, Beijing “may not have understood the full extent of it”.
“Because it’s very possible that [Mr.] Putin lied to them the same way that he lied to Europeans and others,” Mr. Sullivan said.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. raised concerns with the Chinese delegation “directly and very clearly.”
In response, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing, Zhao Lijian, said the U.S. had “been spreading disinformation targeting China on the Ukraine issue, with malicious intentions”.
Asked if he could clarify whether China had received a request for military help from Russia, Mr. Zhao said this was “fake news” but did not deny it directly. He added that China’s stance had always been consistent and that China was playing a constructive role in promoting talks.
President Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said reports Russia had asked China for military assistance were not true.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the president to seek the Lord’s leading as the U.S. interacts with Russia, Ukraine, and China.
- For NSA Sullivan to look to God for wisdom in reviewing intelligence and advising the president.
- For State Department officials to have discernment as they communicate with foreign diplomats and leaders.
Sources: CNN, BBC
