war in Ukraine
Asselborn warns China against arms deliveries to Russia
Luxembourg Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn warns China of the consequences of arms deliveries to Russia. photo
© Omer Messinger/afp-pool/dpa
The US fears Chinese arms sales to Russia. “I hope it doesn’t come to that,” says Luxembourg’s foreign minister. He is meeting with other EU foreign ministers today.
Luxembourg’s Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has warned that Chinese arms deliveries to Russia could escalate the Ukraine war. “That would be a turning point – and not for the better,” Asselborn said on Deutschlandfunk before a meeting with the other EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
If China actually delivers weapons to Russia, this must have consequences for dealings with the People’s Republic. “I hope it doesn’t come to that,” said Asselborn. “But disguised arms deliveries would also have consequences.”
The United States had previously expressed concern about possible deliveries. Foreign Minister Antony Blinken told CBS on Sunday that China was “considering providing lethal support” to Russia. When asked what he meant by that, Blinken replied: “Weapons, primarily weapons.” The EU foreign ministers want to discuss new Russia sanctions and further military aid for Ukraine on Monday. The war has already lasted a year this Friday.