Liten to this article China Weighing Possibility Of Supplying Artillery And Ammunition To Russia
China Interested In Supporting Russia
New intelligence reports indicate that China is considering providing artillery and ammunition to Russia, according to three US officials who are knowledgeable about the matter. A former US official and a Western official, who were briefed on the issue, confirmed that the Wall Street Journal was the first to report the intelligence, which was later confirmed by NBC News. The officials, however, did not disclose the specific evidence supporting this intelligence.
What the Officials Said
The officials stated that it could be a significant development if China decided to provide arms to Russia. Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, tweeted that the availability of artillery ammunition for Ukraine and Russia is perhaps the single most critical factor that could influence the course of the war.
Keir Giles, a Russia expert and senior consulting fellow at Chatham House, a London-based think tank, said that previous predictions of Russia running out of specific types of ammunition did not pan out in reality. If Moscow is looking to other sources for supplies, it may mean that they are depleting their post-Cold War stocks of arms and ammunition, which is unsustainable.
China’s Interest in Supporting Russia
Horowitz, a geopolitical analyst at Le Beck consultancy, stated that China supports Russia through oil imports, dual-use components, micro-chips, and satellite imagery to ensure Russia’s survival. Providing arms and ammunition may not raise concerns, but if China offers more, such as heavily used artillery shells in Ukraine or drones, Europe will respond. Horowitz also noted that China aims to prevent a Russian defeat and force a negotiated settlement, which is why it proposed the 12-point peace plan.
China’s 12-Point Peace Plan for Ukraine
On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China unveiled its 12-point peace plan. The proposal called for both countries to agree to a gradual de-escalation, keep nuclear facilities safe, establish humanitarian corridors, and prevent attacks on civilian populations.
Ukraine’s Response
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed interest in meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss Beijing’s proposals for ending the conflict. Zelenskyy stated that China has historically respected Ukraine’s territorial integrity and that it should therefore do everything it can to make Russia leave Ukraine’s territory.
Reaction from Western Leaders
Biden and EU leaders doubted China’s peace plan. Stoltenberg said China lacked credibility for not condemning the invasion of Ukraine, while von der Leyen said EU would scrutinize the plan given China’s stance.
Conclusion
If China were to supply Russia with artillery and ammunition, it would represent a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The officials have not disclosed the specific evidence supporting this intelligence, but its potential impact on the conflict should not be overlooked. Additionally, it is noteworthy that China released its peace proposal on the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Western leaders met with skepticism.
