Blinken named the main supplier of military equipment to Russia

China is now the main supplier of critical components for Russian weapons and thus participates in Russia's war against Ukraine. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said this on 19 April, after a meeting of the G7 foreign ministers, Reuters reported.

When it comes to Russia's defence industrial base, China is now its main supplier. We see China sharing machine tools, semiconductors and other dual-use goods that help Russia rebuild its defence industrial base. China can't have both. It can't afford it. You want to have positive, friendly relations with countries in Europe, and at the same time you're fuelling the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War,'' Blinken said.

The US Secretary of State's concerns were echoed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock.

If China openly seeks an even closer partnership with Russia, which is waging an illegal war against Ukraine, we cannot accept it," the minister said.

The agency points out that a Chinese diplomatic representative who took the floor after Blinken's speech said that Beijing "is not a party to the Ukrainian crisis" and that "normal trade between China and Russia should not be hindered or restricted."

Earlier, Washington said that it would be ready to take additional measures against Beijing if co-operation between China and Russia strengthens.