During his visit to China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a strong message regarding Russia’s support for Ukraine. Blinken emphasized that Russia’s ability to sustain its assault on Ukraine is dependent on China’s support. He suggested that China could improve its relations with the US and the EU if it stops supplying critical components that enable Russia to produce munitions, such as machine tools, microelectronics, and optics.
Blinken warned that by supporting Russia, China is not only perpetuating aggression against Ukraine but also posing a growing threat to Europe’s security. He stated that the US has already taken actions against Chinese entities involved in providing these critical components to Russia and threatened further action if China does not change its course.
In addition to addressing China’s support for Russia, Blinken raised concerns about China’s relationship with Iran. He urged China to use its influence to prevent Iran and its proxies from escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia is strengthening its military and technical cooperation with Iran, potentially creating a stronger Moscow-Tehran axis.
The meeting between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Iranian counterpart, Gharaei Ashtiani, highlighted the deepening and expanding relations between Moscow and Tehran. Ashtiani thanked Shoigu for Russia’s support during the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus and praised Russia’s fair and honest attitude towards Iran.
Overall, Blinken’s visit to China underscored the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the international arena, with strategic alliances and conflicts shaping relationships between major world powers. The US is keeping a close eye on China’s actions and stands ready to take further measures if China continues to support Russia in the conflict with Ukraine.