An EU official also said China providing arms to Russia would be an ‘absolute red line’ and lead to sanctions: Report.
Ukrainian service members ride on an infantry fighting vehicle at the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine, on March 3, 2023 [Oleksandr Ratushniak/Reuters]
US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have committed to continue imposing high costs on Russia for its war in Ukraine, while a European Union official said any arms provided by China to Russia would lead to sanctions.
Biden and Scholz met on Friday in Washington, DC as the United States announced a new military aid package for Ukraine worth $400m that includes ammunition and tactical bridges to move tanks and armoured vehicles. The additional ammunition is being sent to help boost stocks in anticipation of Ukraine’s spring offensive.
The meeting between the US and German leaders comes as US officials said Ukraine was bracing for a new Russian offensive in coming weeks. Officials in Washington said discussion points between the leaders included the state of the war and also how to respond if China provided military aid to Russia.
Sitting next to Scholz in the Oval Office on Friday, Biden hailed the German leader’s decision to sharply increase Germany’s military spending and diversify energy sources away from Russia, and said the two leaders had worked in lockstep with other allies to support Ukraine.
“As NATO allies, we’re making the alliance stronger,” Biden said.
Scholz said it was important to demonstrate that the allies would back Kyiv “as long as it takes and as long as is necessary”.
Though China has denied any intention to arm Russia, Washington has begun consulting with allies about imposing possible sanctions should Beijing provide Moscow with military aid for its war in Ukraine, sources told the Reuters news agency.
Washington claimed in recent weeks that China was considering providing weapons to Russia, although US officials have not provided evidence or said that such supplies have started. “We haven’t seen China do anything about lethal weapons yet,” White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters ahead of the meeting between the two leaders.
“Every step China takes toward Russia complicates China’s relationship with Europe and the rest of the world,” she said.
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