The director of the CIA, William Burns, reiterated this Sunday that the US has evidence that China is considering sending weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine, but pointed out that Beijing has not yet made a final decision and has not made any. arms transfer.
Burns made these statements in an interview with CBS broadcast this Sunday and which comes a week after the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, accused China of contemplating sending weapons to Russia, in which was the first such accusation.
Blinken’s message, the CIA director revealed today, was aimed at dissuading Beijing and showing that Washington was aware of its plans.
“Secretary Blinken and US President Joe Biden had thought it was important to make it very clear that there would be consequences” if Beijing sent military aid to Moscow, Burns explained.
For now, according to Burns, the United States has information that makes it “very sure” that the Chinese government is considering sending weapons to Russia, but has not yet made a final decision and has not made any transfers of military aid.
Since the start of the war, China has maintained an ambiguous position: it has avoided criticizing Russia, which it considers its strategic partner; but it has avoided providing military assistance because one of its great principles in foreign policy is respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States.
On February 24, one year after the start of the war, China presented a document in which it explained in twelve points its “position for a political solution to the crisis in Ukraine” and in which it emphasized the need for dialogue. .
China has denied any intention to send weapons to Russia; but if he did, he would change the position he has tried to maintain in the conflict up to now.
According to the United States, Russia has already acquired weapons from Iran and North Korea for the war in Ukraine.
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