China Negotiating Prices for Providing Lethal Weapons to Russia

As the United States continues to warn daily about the possibility of China providing lethal weapons to Russia, reports are emerging that China is considering supplying drones and ammunition to Russia.

On the 24th (local time), CNN cited sources saying, "China has not made a final decision, but negotiations are underway between China and Russia regarding prices and other matters."

CNN reported that Russia has continuously requested drones and ammunition from China, and that Chinese leadership has discussed the issue of providing lethal weapons over the past several months, with recent indications leaning toward supplying weapons.

In this regard, Germany's Spiegel reported that Chinese manufacturers are discussing the purchase of 100 suicide attack drones for Russia, with delivery expected in April.

The U.S. Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also reported on the same day, citing sources, that China is discussing the provision of artillery with Russia. Sources told WSJ, "If China provides weapons, it will include not only drones but also artillery and other weapons," adding, "This would help the Russian military counter Ukraine's counteroffensive."

The Washington Post (WP) mentioned in its report that the weapons China is considering supplying include 122mm and 152mm artillery shell ammunition.

The recent U.S. warnings about the possibility of Chinese arms support are said to be based on these developments. Earlier, on the 18th, during a meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Chinese Communist Party Central Political Bureau, at the Munich Security Conference (MSC) in Germany, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken directly warned about the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia or helps systematically evade sanctions.

At that time, Vice President Kamala Harris also stated at the conference, "Any action by China to supply lethal support would compensate for aggression, perpetuate killing, and further undermine the rules-based order," setting China's lethal weapons support as a "red line," and the U.S. has publicly sent warning messages.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said at a press briefing on the 22nd, "We have not yet seen evidence that China has directly provided weapons to Russia," but added, "We do not believe China has removed this from the table of consideration."

He warned, "As Secretary Blinken said last weekend, we are concerned about China considering lethal weapons support to Russia, and if China provides lethal weapons to Russia, it will result in negative consequences for bilateral relations."

In response to this U.S. analysis, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, strongly opposed it, saying, "The United States is spreading false information."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]