The United States is surveying its close allies on whether to impose new sanctions on China if Beijing provides military support to Russia in its war in Ukraine, four U.S. officials and other sources said.

The consultations, which are still at an early stage, are aimed at enlisting the support of a number of countries, including those in the wealthy G7, to coordinate support for any possible restrictions.

It was not clear what sanctions Washington would propose. The talks were not previously disclosed.

The U.S. Treasury Department, the lead agency for imposing sanctions, declined to comment.

Washington and its allies have said in recent weeks that China is considering supplying Russia with weapons, which Beijing has denied. US President Joe Biden’s aides have not publicly provided evidence.

They have also warned China directly against it, including during meetings between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, and during a February 18 face-to-face meeting between US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Munich Global Security Conference.

The Biden administration’s initial moves to counter China’s support for Russia included informal contacts at the staff and diplomatic levels, including at the Treasury Department, sources familiar with the matter said.

They said the officials were laying the groundwork for potential action against Beijing with a core group of countries most supportive of sanctions imposed on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine a year ago.

Asked about the consultations, a White House National Security Council spokesman said Russia’s war had complicated China’s relations with Europe and other countries.

“This is a distraction for China and potentially a blow to their international relations, which they do not need and should not want,” the spokesman said.

Information war

One country official consulted by Washington said he had seen little information to support claims that China was considering military aid to Russia. However, a US official said they were providing allies with detailed reports on the intelligence.

China’s role in the war between Russia and Ukraine is expected to be among the topics discussed when Biden meets with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at the White House on Friday. Before that, the foreign ministers of dozens of countries, including Russia, China and the USA, will discuss the war in New Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday.

Last week, China released a 12-point document calling for a complete ceasefire, which was met with skepticism in the West.

Washington’s initial initiative on sanctions has yet to lead to general agreement on specific measures, the sources said.