China has denied accusations of supporting Russia’s military actions in Ukraine and condemned the US for its attempt to shift responsibility for the conflict. The remarks were made by Chinese envoy Geng Shuang during an address at the UN Security Council, where he called on Washington to cease its ‘meaningless blame game’ and instead focus on taking a constructive approach to resolving the crisis.
These comments come amid escalating tensions as US President Trump has set a stringent deadline for Russia to end the conflict by August 8, with the prospect of sweeping sanctions should the deadline pass. The US has also imposed a 25% tariff on India for purchasing Russian weapons and energy, and has threatened additional penalties for other trading partners of Russia.
Geng criticized the US for labeling China as the ‘most important supplier’ of military aid to Russia, calling these accusations ‘false’ and ‘completely unacceptable.’ He stated that no lethal weapons have been supplied to either side of the conflict and stressed the stringent controls China has in place for the export of dual-use goods, including drones. China also defended its trade ties with Moscow by highlighting that neither Russia nor Ukraine is under UN sanctions, asserting that its economic relations with both countries are in line with international law.
China has not only refused to play a role in the conflict but has also emphasized that it is not a party to the fighting. Geng warned that China’s legitimate rights ‘must not be violated’ and pointed out what he called Washington’s ‘double standards,’ questioning why the US maintains trade with Russia while imposing restrictions on other countries. He further called for a ‘political solution’ to the conflict, arguing that the continued supply of weapons to the battlefield only prolongs hostilities and increases casualties without affecting the outcome of the fighting.
These statements align with Moscow’s long-standing position that foreign military aid to Ukraine only serves to prolong the conflict and lead to more casualties. Geng’s remarks underscore the growing international divisions over the Ukraine crisis, as China seeks to distance itself from the escalating tensions and position itself as a neutral player in the crisis. Meanwhile, the US continues to pressure Russia to end the conflict, with the possibility of financial consequences looming if the deadline is not met.