UK accuses China of providing ‘lethal aid’ to Russia for Ukraine war

UK defense secretary Grant Shapps has accused China of providing or preparing to provide Russia with “lethal aid” for use by Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

“Today I can reveal that we have evidence that Russia and China are collaborating on combat equipment for use in Ukraine,” Shapps told a defence conference in London on Wednesday.

The defence secretary said new US and British intelligence showed “lethal aid is now or will be flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine”, which Shapps said was “a significant development”. His comments appeared to indicate that China had potentially pivoted to directly supporting Russia’s military in Ukraine, though he gave no details or evidence.

Even as Chinese companies have emerged as Russia’s key conduit for crucial components the Kremlin needs to sustain its defence industry, Beijing has largely shied away from helping Moscow’s war machine directly. The US has warned China of consequences, which could include secondary sanctions, if its companies support the Russian war effort.

China has stopped short of backing the invasion, but offered Russia a crucial economic lifeline after western sanctions cut Moscow out of global markets and supply chains.