US State Department spokesman Ned Price said on Wednesday that there would be “consequences” to China’s actions if they choose to provide lethal aid to Russia.
Price would not elaborate on what those consequences would be.
The comments come after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Chinese diplomat Wang Yi this past weekend. Blinken said that there is evidence that may point to China funding support to Russia.
Price said, “we don’t believe they’ve taken it off the table either.” He added that China providing lethal weapons to Russia “would cause real consequences in our bilateral relationship.”
“The [People’s Republic of China] understands what’s at risk were it to proceed with providing material support to Russia’s war against Ukraine,” Price said, according to Fox News. “We’ve been clear we will not hesitate to target Chinese companies or individuals that violate our sanctions, and we’re monitoring very vigilantly for potential violations.”
China would “suffer reputational cost” if it were to provide Russia with lethal aid.
“Already, it is providing diplomatic support. It is providing economic support. It is … spewing propaganda that serves to amplify the lies, the distortions, the myths, the half-truths that are emanating from Moscow,” Price said.
One reporter would ask what possible leverage the US has as a deterrent if China sides with Russia, to which Price said there was “an advantage to some degree of ambiguity.”
“We have been clear with the PRC about the fact that consequences would befall them if they were to provide lethal assistance, but we think it’s most effective if we leave that ambiguous and we continue to warn consistently of those consequences,” Price said.
Fox News reports: “Experts have argued that the Biden administration might have forced China’s hand after revealing its suspicions that China was considering providing Russia with lethal aid.
“The U.S. and its NATO allies have repeatedly warned that any nation – including China – will see severe economic sanctions if they are found aiding Russia’s war against Ukraine.”
China thus far has not provided any aid but did refuse to condemn the invasion.
