Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday laid out some of the consequences China may face if it gives Russia material help to kill, adding that the country “cannot have it both ways” with regard to the war in Ukraine.
US officials say they have intelligence indicating Beijing is considering sending lethal aid to Ukraine, although it has not made a final decision on what to do.
Such actions by China will not only harm its relations with the US, but also with other countries around the world, Blinken said at a joint press conference with Kazakhstan’s Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi.
“We will not hesitate … to target Chinese companies or individuals who violate our sanctions or are involved in supporting the Russian war effort,” Blinken said in Astana, Kazakhstan.
Blinken is visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan this week to alert Central Asian countries of Russia’s dangers.
On Friday, which marked a year since the start of the war, China released a 12-point peace plan to end the conflict, calling for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Blinken considers the mixed signals Beijing is sending.
“China cannot have it both ways when it comes to Russian aggression in Ukraine,” he said. “It is impossible to implement peace proposals with one hand while feeding the fire that Russia started with the other.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday held a meeting in Beijing with Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Xi called for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
“Relevant countries must stop politicians and use the world economy as a tool, and take steps that really advance the ceasefire,” Xi said, according to a CCTV report cited by AP – a hidden reference to the support of the US and its allies. for Ukraine.
Blinken said on Wednesday that he had “no plans” to meet with his Russian and Chinese counterparts during the Group of 20 meeting held in New Delhi on Thursday, although all could be part of several group meetings.