This past week saw silly claims that China was being asked by Russia for military aid in Ukraine. Although no public evidence was ever given to justify these claims, they were used as a basis to put pressure on China, as part of a maneuver that appears to be setting the stage for potential sanctions against China.
The U.S. and NATO have since said that they’re keeping a close eye on China for any “signs of support from China to Russia,” in the words of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was more direct on March 17: “We believe China in particular has a responsibility to use its influence with President Putin and to defend the international rules and principles that it professes to support. Instead, it appears that China is moving in the opposite direction by refusing to condemn this aggression, while seeking to portray itself as a neutral arbiter.... We will not hesitate to impose costs.”
