US Accuses China of Assisting Russia in Largest Military Buildup Since Soviet Era

China has played a significant role in revitalizing Russia’s defense industrial base following the Ukraine invasion. According to US findings, China has been assisting Russia in various areas, such as joint production of drones, space-based capabilities, and vital machine-tool exports used for producing ballistic missiles. US officials stated that Russia is currently undergoing its most ambitious defense expansion since the Soviet era, and at a faster pace than initially anticipated.

They believe that persuading China to cease its assistance to Russia in reconstituting its military industrial base would be a game-changing move to support Ukraine, as Russia heavily relies on Chinese inputs for its war effort. The US officials revealed that China supplied over 70 percent of the $900 million in machine tools imported by Russia in the last quarter of 2023, which are likely used for building ballistic missiles. Additionally, they mentioned that 90 percent of Russia’s microelectronics imports, used in missile, tank, and aircraft production, came from China last year.

The US administration hopes that European powers can influence China to change its stance, considering China’s current economic challenges and sensitivity to trade pressure. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to address China’s ties with Russia during his meetings with other industrial democracies at the G7 talks in Capri, Italy. There are also plans for Blinken to visit China in the coming weeks, following a recent telephone call between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized the historical importance of Europe’s stability to the US and pledged to hold China accountable if Russia makes gains. Meanwhile, Ukraine is facing setbacks on the battlefield, with the US unable to provide new support due to a deadlock in the Republican-led House of Representatives.