US says at UN meeting that China plays a key role in continuation of war in Ukraine
The United States believes that China’s support for the Russian defence industry is a key factor in allowing the Kremlin to continue its war against Ukraine. Deputy US Permanent Representative Robert Wood said this at a meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday, Ukrinform reports.
‘China’s support for Russia is crucial. China’s support prolongs the war. China talks about creating conditions for peace. But it could quickly create these conditions by ending its support for Russia,’ he said.
Wood stressed that China tries to downplay its support for the Russian defence industry, but in fact it supplies Russia with weapons components, drones, cruise missiles, machine tools, microelectronics and nitrocellulose. Chinese companies are also involved in joint development of attack drones with Russian defence companies.
‘China has no reason to claim to be for peace, as it is enabling Russia to wage the biggest war in Europe in decades,’ the US diplomat said.
Wood reminded that China abstained during the vote when 141 countries condemned Russia’s invasion and violation of the UN Charter and called for the withdrawal of troops from Ukraine.
‘China could help end this conflict by calling on Russia to return to Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders Even now, China could help end the war by calling on Russia to withdraw its troops in accordance with Ukraine’s internationally recognised borders,’ Wood said.
He also noted that Russia receives military support from North Korea and Iran.
In particular, Wood stressed that North Korea is sending its troops to Russia, which indicates that ties between Moscow and Pyongyang are strengthening. North Korea is supplying Russia with ballistic missiles, launchers and ammunition, which is a violation of UN Security Council resolutions.
‘We condemn in the strongest possible terms the path chosen by the Kremlin in dealing with the DPRK,’ Wood concluded.
On 31 October, Russia again initiated a meeting of the UN Security Council to ‘condemn’ military support for Ukraine. Security Council members repeatedly remind the Russian delegation that assistance to Ukraine is provided in accordance with the UN Charter, while Russia’s military support violates Security Council sanctions.
