The US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, stated on Wednesday (June 26th) that China’s comprehensive support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, through providing missile or other weapon-related technological assistance, is a “serious mistake”.
According to reports from the Associated Press, Burns made these remarks during a speech in the Chinese financial center of Shanghai, emphasizing that Russia’s invasion has now entered its third year and has become a “survival crisis” for Europe.
“We believe that allowing thousands of Chinese companies to send so many parts, technical components, microprocessors, and nitrocellulose to Russia to strengthen the defense industrial base in this brutal war is a serious mistake,” said Burns.
He also stressed that China is “not neutral, but is effectively siding with Russia in this war.” He added that this decision directly contradicts China’s long-standing assertion of “sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
China has consistently denied providing military aid to Russia.
This is not the first time Burns has condemned China’s support for Russia. In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) earlier this month, he reiterated the US position that China’s support for Russian aggression is unacceptable.