German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on March 5 that the Chinese government had declared that it would not supply Russia with weapons to support its invasion of Ukraine.
Scholz made the comments at a press conference on Sunday at a German government hideout in Möseberg, north of Berlin, which was also attended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The prime minister asked reporters whether he had obtained conclusive evidence that China was considering providing weapons to Russia, and if China was found to have helped arm Russia, would impose sanctions on Beijing. was asked if he supported
“We all agree that there should be no arms, and the Chinese government has said it will not,” the prime minister replied. “That’s what we demand, and we’re watching it.”
On the other hand, von der Leyen said, “There is no evidence so far, but we have to observe it every day,” and said potential sanctions against Beijing were “a hypothetical matter, and that is the reality.” becomes a fact.”
Scholz repeated his comments. interview on CNN, which aired on Sunday.
Germany, like Europe and the United States, “has made it very clear that China’s sanctions should not be circumvented,” he said, adding that officials were “enthusiastic to see that this is not happening.” bottom.
China will not evade sanctions
“From what we’ve seen, they haven’t evaded more or less, but we’ll continue to investigate,” said Scholz. “And this is to ask them not to provide weapons to Russia, telling them not to do it publicly, not just in bilateral talks.”
“They said they wouldn’t provide weapons publicly,” he said of Beijing.
Asked by CNN if he could imagine imposing sanctions on China if China aided Russia, Scholz said: “I think there will be consequences, but let’s make it clear that we shouldn’t do that right now. It’s a stage and I’m relatively optimistic.” In this case the request will succeed, but you should make sure that: [it] And we have to be very careful. ”
The German Chancellor did not provide further details on exactly what such sanctions would entail.
In a speech to the German parliament on March 2, Scholz urged China not to send weapons to Russia to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, instead urging the Chinese government to put pressure on Russia. urged the army to withdraw.
He also expressed disappointment that China refrained from condemning Russia’s aggression at the United Nations General Assembly on February 23.
China was one of the few countries to vote against a resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine.
The next day, Beijing issued a so-called “peace plan” to Russia and Ukraine and published an article titled “China’s Position on the Political Solution to the Ukraine Crisis.” .
China calls for wartime dialogue and negotiations
The plan states that “the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all states must be effectively maintained” and that “dialogue and negotiations are the only viable solution to the Ukraine crisis.”
The paper comes after Beijing pledged a deeper “comprehensive strategic partnership” with Russia during a visit to the Kremlin by Chinese diplomat Wang Yi last month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also confirmed that Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping is also due to visit Moscow in the coming months.
Beijing denied such reports amid growing concerns among senior US officials, including Secretary of State Anthony Brinken, that China could provide lethal military aid to Russia.
“Adding fuel to the fire will only exacerbate tensions. Prolonging and escalating conflicts will only make ordinary people pay an even greater price,” China’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations Dai Bing said Feb. 23. Spoke at the United Nations General Assembly today.
Despite reassurances from Beijing, China’s role in the Russian-Ukrainian war was one of the key topics Scholz discussed with President Joe Biden during his March 3 White House meeting.
At that meeting, the two leaders also pledged to provide further assistance to Ukraine in its ongoing aggression, and shortly after, the United States announced a new military aid package to Kiev worth about $400 million.
Modern packages include artillery systems and ammunition, as well as test and diagnostic equipment to assist in vehicle maintenance and repair, as well as spare parts and other field equipment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.