United States National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned China on Sunday if Beijing officials push through with alleged plans to supply Russia with lethal aid to use in its invasion of Ukraine.
The American official said there would be "real costs" over the alleged actions, saying that the war between Russia and Ukraine presents complications for Beijing. He added that the Chinese government would be forced to make its own decisions on how to move forward, whether or not to provide military assistance.
US Warns China Against Sending Aid to Russia
Sullivan, who has been in talks with Chinese officials, said that the United States was not directly threatening Beijing. Instead, he laid out the stakes and consequences of providing lethal aid to Russia and how things would unfold. He noted that they were working like that behind closed doors.
The national security adviser's remarks come during a critical time in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Despite intelligence suggesting China is gearing up to assist Russia, Beijing appears to have yet to make a final decision, as CNN.
Sources noted that this is because China and Russia are still negotiating the price and scope of the equipment that will be provided. Since the beginning of the war, Moscow has repeatedly asked for drones and ammunition from Beijing.
On the other hand, Chinese leaders have actively debated, in the last several months, whether or not to grant those requests. On Sunday, Sullivan was asked if the U.S. government would continue supporting Ukraine the same way now after a year.
In response, the national security adviser said he agreed with the American people that the war was unpredictable. He added that a year ago, everyone was bracing for the fall of Kyiv, which was expected to happen in a matter of days. But a year later, President Joe Biden stood alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, declaring that Kyiv remains standing.
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Sending Drones, Ammunition to Moscow
Other than Sullivan, other lawmakers are warning against China's supposed lethal aid to Russia. According to Fox News, Sen. Ben Cardin warned Beijing that doing so would result in the U.S. implementing more sanctions on the Chinese government.
The Democrat's remarks came during an interview on Sunday where he claimed that the U.S. had Russia isolated economically. He said the same thing could be done to China if it helps Moscow invade Ukraine.
Cardin added that Beijing should understand that they must be on the right side of history, in support of Ukraine, not against it. The senator's remarks referenced the United Nations General Assembly that approved a non-binding resolution on Thursday. It called for Russia to immediately end its hostilities in Ukraine and order the withdrawal of its military forces.
House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul also spoke about his stance on the war between Russia and Ukraine. The official recently visited Ukraine and talked about what he called the "unholy alliance" between Beijing and Moscow.
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