European Union foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Monday to focus on the issue of China’s assistance to Russia. Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp stated that China’s trade with Russia “directly affects” European security.
Veldkamp mentioned before the meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels that NATO sees China as a “decisive enabler” of Russia in the conflict in Ukraine, as goods sold by Chinese companies ultimately end up as components in Russian weapons, including drones.
“I have raised this issue twice with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. I think, as Europeans, we should all do this because China should be aware: this directly affects European security,” Veldkamp said. He added that sanctions might be one of the options on the table if it is confirmed that China is manufacturing drones to support Russia.
Veldkamp is responsible for overseeing export restrictions of advanced chip equipment manufacturer ASML. The Dutch government, in collaboration with the United States, has implemented a series of increasingly tight export restrictions to prevent ASML from exporting its most advanced technology to Chinese chip manufacturers. This move aims to curb China’s use of advanced chips for military purposes.
The Dutch Foreign Minister mentioned that he would discuss how to address China’s support for Russia with other EU member countries on Monday.
On the same day, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned during the meeting with EU foreign ministers in Brussels that China’s increasing assistance to Russia in the conflict in Ukraine “will have consequences and inevitably will have consequences.”
Ukraine’s allies have been gathering intelligence on China’s support for Russia’s drone program, which is a key topic of discussion at the foreign ministers meeting.
The EU is trying to combat countries that are helping Russia in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. On Monday, the EU approved expanding sanctions against Iran for supporting Russia.
EU foreign ministers have received “convincing” evidence showing that Russia has built a drone production factory in the Xinjiang region of China, which would enable Russia to evade severe Western sanctions. EU officials are still investigating these reports to determine the extent of Russia’s weapon program and China’s involvement.
“We are showing weakness, we must stand firm. Especially because in this respect we may have very strong transatlantic partnerships,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis stated, pointing out the United States’ tough stance toward China.
“We can send a very strong message that we will not allow this to happen (referring to China’s support for Russia). If we do not do this, it will serve to solidify the chaotic alliance that Russia is forming,” he added.
China is a major source of restricted dual-use products (critical technology and electronic equipment used for weapons or weapons manufacturing) for Russia, and the EU and its allies have imposed sanctions on several Chinese companies.
China strongly denies providing military assistance to Russia and insists on its “strict” control over military exports.
In April this year, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken directly pointed out during his visit to China that without China’s support, Russia’s attack on Ukraine would have been difficult to sustain. The U.S. accuses China of providing dual-use items to Russia for the production of rockets, drones, tanks, and other weapons.