Beijing has refuted claims of backing Russia’s military, asserting its trade ties with Moscow are both lawful and equitable.
China has criticized the United States for engaging in a “meaningless blame game” and called on it to cease reassigning responsibility for the Ukraine conflict. Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, Chinese envoy Geng Shuang dismissed accusations that Beijing is providing military assistance to Russia, urging Washington to “play a constructive role” in bringing an end to the hostilities.
These comments come amidst a series of increasingly stringent deadlines issued by US President Donald Trump. Last month, Trump had given Russia 50 days to conclude the conflict or incur extensive new sanctions, including full tariffs and penalties for its trade partners. This week, he shortened that timeframe to 10 days. On Wednesday, August 8 was designated as the ultimate deadline. The US has already levied a 25% tariff against India for its purchases of Russian armaments and energy.
The United States asserted to the Security Council that China had emerged as “the most important supplier” to Russia’s military operations. Beijing vehemently rejected these accusations, labeling them “false” and “completely unacceptable.”
Geng affirmed that China neither initiated nor is a party to the conflict. He stated that Beijing has never provided lethal weapons to either belligerent and maintains stringent control over the export of dual-use items, such as drones.
He defended China’s economic connections with Moscow by pointing out that neither Russia nor Ukraine is subject to UN sanctions. “China maintains normal trade with Russia and Ukraine, and has not breached international law or international commitments,” he said.
Geng cautioned that China’s legitimate entitlements “must not be infringed upon” and highlighted Washington’s perceived double standards, questioning, “To this day, the US still maintains trade with Russia. Why is it that the US is not allowing other countries to do what it is doing?”
He additionally remarked that the Ukraine conflict is currently at a “critical juncture, presenting the prospect and hope of a political resolution,” and condemned the ongoing “reckless” provision of weaponry to the conflict zone, asserting that such actions merely prolong the hostilities.
Geng’s remarks align with Moscow’s long-standing stance that external military assistance to Ukraine merely extends the hostilities and results in increased casualties without altering the conflict’s resolution.