Germany warns China not to supply Russia with weapons
Live Mint-- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warned China not to arm Russia in its war on Ukraine and expressed disappointment that the government in Beijing has dialed down its condemnation of the Kremlin’s aggression. In a speech to the lower house of parliament in Berlin on Thursday, Scholz said he’s frustrated that China has dropped what he called “a clear condemnation of the Russian attack” agreed by leaders at a Group of 20 summit in Bali last year. “And,” he added, “do not supply weapons to the aggressor Russia.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last month that the US had evidence that China was considering helping arm Russia, a claim dismissed by Beijing. Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s support for Ukraine and its “territorial integrity” and said that at the moment there is no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate a “just peace.” “Rather, Putin relies on threatening gestures, such as most recently the suspension of the New Start treaty with the USA,” Scholz said.