Evidence mounts: China allegedly supplying drones to Russia
German media report that China may be producing drones for the Russian military. According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the European Union is investigating signs that Chinese equipment is being used in the fighting in Ukraine. The evidence of Beijing's support for Russia's military is described as "credible" and "convincing."
5:53 PM EST, November 16, 2024
The German FAZ states that the European Union is examining the possibility of military aid flowing from China to Russia. According to Brussels officials, based on intelligence reports, drone factories in China are allegedly supplying the Russian military during the conflict in Ukraine.
Efforts are currently underway to determine whether there is direct cooperation between China and Russia in the sphere of military equipment. If this information is confirmed, the European Union will likely need to take action—possibly imposing economic sanctions on Beijing.
FAZ reminds readers that the European Union has already imposed sanctions on Iran for supplying drones and ballistic missiles to Russia. These sanctions have affected, among others, Iranian airlines. On Monday, the EU is expected to take further steps regarding restrictions on Tehran.
Is China supplying drones to Russia? Sources are "credible"
Other media outlets are also reporting on the alleged Chinese support for the Kremlin. The Swiss Tages-Anzeiger claims that the evidence of drone deliveries by Beijing is both "convincing" and "credible." Although details remain unknown, Swiss journalists recall that the Russian company IEMZ Kupol tested a new drone model called Garpiya-3 in western China, reportedly with the involvement of Chinese experts. This drone is said to carry about 110 pounds of explosives over approximately 1,243 miles.
It is currently unclear how Brussels will respond to these reports. Media reports suggest that if Beijing is dispatching drones, it would represent crossing a "red line." Various consequences are being considered, such as entry bans for certain Chinese citizens into the EU and restrictions on specific product categories. However, the EU's dependency on China could disrupt market if sanctions are imposed. EU officials, quoted by Tages-Anzeiger, state: "China supports Russia in this aggression. This must have consequences."
China has long supported Russia
China's leader, Xi Jinping, and Russian President Vladimir Putin have long worked together on various fronts. Beijing benefits from Russia's cheap raw materials, such as oil and gas, which do not reach the European market. Both countries aim to alter the global balance of power, seeking to expel the United States from Europe, potentially dismantle the European Union, or force it into collaborating on terms set by these authoritarian regimes.
Although Beijing has never explicitly sided with the Kremlin, all diplomatic gestures, including discussions between the leaders within the BRICS framework and during bilateral meetings, indicate China's support in this conflict. Notably, no representative from Beijing attended the peace summit in Switzerland. For several years, Western media have described the collaboration among Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea as a new "axis of evil."
