The United States and China exchanged sharp accusations on Friday over Beijing’s alleged role in supporting Moscow during a heated session of the UN Security Council.
Acting US Ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, claimed China was covertly aiding Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine and called on Beijing to stop “fuelling Russia’s aggression”.
“Beijing’s claim to have implemented strong export controls on dual-use goods falls apart in the face of daily recovery of Chinese-produced components in the drones, weapons, and vehicles that Russia uses against Ukraine,” Shea told the council.
Beijing strongly rejected the accusations, insisting it strictly controls its exports and has not supplied weapons to Moscow.
“China did not start the war in Ukraine, is not a party to the conflict, has never provided lethal weapons, and has always strictly controlled dual-use materials, including the export of drones,” Deputy UN Ambassador Geng Shuang said.
Geng urged Washington to stop shifting blame over the Ukraine conflict and instead contribute constructively towards a ceasefire and peace talks.
“We urge the US to stop shifting blame on the Ukraine issue or creating confrontation and instead play a more constructive role in promoting a ceasefire and peace talks,” Geng told the meeting.
Washington has maintained that Chinese companies are helping Moscow evade Western sanctions by supplying goods and technologies with possible military uses. US officials have warned that firms linked to Russia’s defence sector could face secondary sanctions if such assistance continues.
Since February 2022, the US has authorised $175 billion in aid for Ukraine and continues to push for stronger compliance with sanctions.
Beijing, meanwhile, has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict and argues that sanctions disrupt global supply chains and harm developing economies. Chinese officials say isolating Russia will not help bring peace to the region.
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