EU to consider sanctions on China over possible role in supplying arms to Russia

The European Union is preparing to impose sanctions on China in connection with reports of alleged Chinese involvement in supplying weapons to Russia for use in the Ukrainian conflict.

According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, which cited its own sources, the EU's outgoing High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, briefed EU member states on the intelligence before a planned meeting of foreign ministers on November 18, Caliber.Az reports.

Borrell described the evidence presented as “convincing,” suggesting that China may have been involved in the shipment of lethal weapons to Russia. He called for swift action and urged EU countries to consider "the full range of tools" available, including the creation of sanctions lists targeting Chinese firms. These sanctions could result in bans on transactions with Chinese companies, asset freezes, and entry bans for individuals linked to such activities.

One source cited by the newspaper noted that much of the EU’s decision depends on China’s response to the accusations. The discussions on potential sanctions are still in their early stages, and no specific details about the intelligence information have been disclosed.

In response to these claims, Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, denied the allegations telling the Russian media that the United States was spreading "misinformation" about China’s military support for Russia. Liu emphasized that Beijing "has never supplied weapons to any party in the conflict" in Ukraine and that its economic and trade relations with Russia were not intended to target any third country.

The sanctions discussion follows recent developments involving US actions against Chinese entities. On October 17, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions against three Chinese companies and one individual connected to the production of long-range "Harpy" attack drones, which are said to be used by the Russian military. The Harpy drones, produced with Chinese cooperation, were first reported by Reuters in September.

Among those sanctioned were companies such as Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine, which manufactures engines for drones, and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen, which serves as an intermediary for drone deliveries to Russia. These sanctions mark the first time the U.S. has targeted Chinese entities involved in the direct development and production of weapon systems in partnership with Russian defence firms.

The US Treasury Department described these actions as a significant step, emphasizing that these were the first US sanctions targeting Chinese companies for their involvement in producing entire weapons systems for Russia. Previously, the US had imposed sanctions on Chinese firms providing critical resources to Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Additionally, Russian national Artem Yamshchikov and his company, TD Vector, were added to the US blacklist. Yamshchikov’s company is involved in purchasing materials on behalf of the Izhevsk Electromechanical Plant Kupol, a Russian defence manufacturer already under sanctions.

The United States has repeatedly warned China against supporting Russia’s military capabilities. In September, US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell stated that China was directly assisting Russia’s military efforts in its war against Ukraine. The US has imposed hundreds of sanctions aimed at limiting Russia’s access to advanced technologies for military purposes.

By Tamilla Hasanova