Trade data underscore the depth of China’s economic ties with Moscow. Tracking figures show that 1.65 million barrels per day of crude were unloaded at Chinese ports in January, the highest level since March 2024
US Department of State official and U.S. ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said China is playing a decisive role in sustaining Russia’s war in Ukraine and has the power to bring the conflict to a halt.
Speaking on Friday at the Munich Security Conference, Whitaker argued that Beijing could quickly change the trajectory of the war.
“China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow and cut off his dual-purpose technologies that they’re selling,” Whitaker said during a panel discussion. “China could stop buying Russian oil and gas.”
“You know, this war is being completely enabled by China,” the US envoy added during a panel on US foreign policy moderated by Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua.
Trade data underscore the depth of China’s economic ties with Moscow. Tracking figures show that 1.65 million barrels per day of crude were unloaded at Chinese ports in January, the highest level since March 2024 and the second-largest monthly total since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Since the start of the war, China and Russia have deepened their strategic partnership. Moscow depends heavily on China for critical components used in drones and other military equipment, while Beijing has reemerged as the largest buyer of Russian crude oil even as international pressure on Russia’s energy trade intensifies.
Wang Yi meets Ukraine’s FM
Despite those figures, Beijing has repeatedly maintained that it seeks a “constructive” role in resolving the conflict. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, in Munich this week and offered humanitarian assistance as Ukraine continues to face Russian strikes targeting its energy infrastructure, according to statements from both Kyiv and Beijing.
Sybiha said that he has invited Yi to Ukraine, adding that China could help end the four-year-long war with Russia. “China can play an important role in bringing about a just peace for Ukraine,” Sybiha told Ukrainian TV channel Novyny Live after meeting the Chinese FM.
“We appreciate China’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, and we had a very substantive and pragmatic conversation.”
In an official Chinese summary of their meeting, Wang said China was “willing to provide new humanitarian assistance to Ukraine” but made no mention of any invitation to visit Kyiv.
“It is encouraging that various dialogues surrounding the Ukraine crisis are progressing intensively,” Wang said, according to a statement released by his ministry.
With inputs from agencies
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