On July 22, U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, issued a strong warning to China. He said that China might face serious consequences for helping Russia in its war against Ukraine. This comes at a time when the war in Ukraine continues to cause major destruction and loss of life.
China Faces Heat for Subsidizing Russia’s War
In an interview with Fox Business, Whitaker said, “China thinks they’re fighting a proxy war through Russia.” He explained that China is trying to keep the United States and its allies busy with the conflict in Ukraine so they can’t focus on other important global challenges.
Whitaker accused China of “subsidizing this killing” in Ukraine. He said China’s support is helping Russia continue the war. This statement has drawn a lot of attention because China has been one of Russia’s biggest economic partners since the war began.
According to Whitaker, China’s actions are not neutral. Instead, they are seen as helping Russia by buying Russian oil and supplying goods that can be used for military purposes. This has made it harder for the United States and its allies to pressure Russia into stopping the war.
🎯 China’s masterstroke? NATO warns Beijing may push Russia to open new front
US Threatens Harsh Sanctions on Countries Subsidizing Russia
Earlier, on July 14, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. will place “severe” secondary sanctions on Russia if the country does not agree to end the war within 50 days. These sanctions will not only target Russia but also countries that continue doing business with it, effectively subsidizing its war efforts.
Ambassador Whitaker explained that these secondary sanctions could affect nations like China, India, and Brazil. All three are major buyers of Russian oil. He warned that if these countries continue their trade with Russia, thereby subsidizing its economy, they could face serious economic penalties.
One of the proposed penalties is a 100% tariff on goods coming into the U.S. from countries that keep buying Russian oil. This would make Chinese goods more expensive for American buyers. It would also hurt Chinese companies that export to the U.S.
Russia makes a lot of its money from selling oil and gas. In fact, oil and gas sales account for around one-third of Russia’s federal income. Cutting off or reducing that income could put pressure on Russia to end the war. However, if countries like China keep buying from Russia, it makes it harder for that pressure to work.
China’s Economic Ties with Russia Raise Alarm
China has become one of Russia’s most important partners since the war in Ukraine started. It is currently the largest buyer of Russian crude oil. This steady income is subsidizing Russia’s military operations in Ukraine.
In addition to oil, China is also providing items that can be used both for civilian and military purposes. These are called dual-use goods. Some of these products may be helping Russia’s defense sector, which includes weapons and other war-related equipment, further subsidizing its war-fighting capability.
The South China Morning Post reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that China “cannot afford” for Russia to lose the war. This information came from unnamed sources but has caused concern among Ukraine and its allies.
Ukraine has also spoken out. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly accused China of taking sides with Russia. He warned that China’s support is helping the Kremlin extend the war.
China secretly warns EU: A Russian defeat would bring U.S. pressure on Beijing
Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit China in September. He will attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit and meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This meeting is seen as a sign of the close ties between the two countries, especially during the ongoing war.
These recent events show growing tension between the U.S. and China over the war in Ukraine. The United States wants countries to stop helping Russia. Meanwhile, China continues its economic partnership with Moscow, raising serious concerns among Western allies.