The European Union has received “no evidence so far” from the United States that China is considering sending weapons to Russia for use in the war in Ukraine, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Sunday.

When asked about the possibility of imposing sanctions against China in the event of such shipments, Ms von der Leyen said that this is “a hypothetical question that can only be answered if it becomes a reality and a fact.”

The President of the European Commission stressed that the EU monitors relations between China and Russia “on a daily basis”.

Beijing and Moscow announced a “borderless” partnership shortly before the Russian military invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Last month, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said Washington had intelligence that Beijing could provide “lethal support” to Moscow, which the Chinese government denied.

Ms von der Leyen, who was questioned by a reporter about the US statement, spoke to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz next to her at Meseberg Palace in eastern Germany. The President of the European Commission was invited to a meeting of Mr. Soltz’s cabinet.

“We all agree that there should be no arms transfers” from China to Russia, Mr Soltz said for his part. “After all, the Chinese government has said that it will not supply weapons. We demand it and control it.”

Source: RES-IPE