During his trip to China, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised concerns about Beijing’s support for Russia in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. According to Blinken, Russia relies heavily on Chinese backing to sustain its assault on Ukraine. He urged China to improve its relationship with the US and EU by ceasing the supply of critical components such as machine tools, microelectronics, and optics that are used to produce munitions.
Blinken warned that China’s support for Russia’s aggression in Ukraine poses a significant threat not only to Europe but also to global security. He mentioned that the US has already taken actions against Chinese entities involved in this and that further measures could be taken if Beijing does not change course.
Apart from discussing China’s involvement in the conflict in Ukraine, Blinken also addressed the relationship between China and Iran. He urged Beijing to use its influence to prevent Tehran and its proxies from escalating conflicts in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Russia and Iran have strengthened their military cooperation, as evidenced by a meeting between their defense ministers in Astana. The Iranian defense minister thanked Russia for its support during an attack on an Iranian consulate in Damascus, further solidifying their deepening relations.
The international dynamics between Russia, China, Iran, and the US are complex and evolving, with implications for global security and stability.
