China's drone support for russia investigated by EU
German media report that China may be producing drones for the Russian military. According to information from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the European Union is investigating indications that Chinese drones are involved in the fighting in Ukraine. The evidence of Beijing's support for Russia's army is said to be "credible" and "convincing".
The German FAZ reports that the European Union is investigating military aid flowing from China to Russia. According to information from officials in Brussels, based on intelligence reports, drone factories in China are reportedly producing equipment used by the Russian military in the Ukraine conflict.
Currently, efforts are underway to determine whether there is direct cooperation between China and Russia in military equipment. If this information is confirmed, the European Union will need to take steps, likely involving the imposition of economic sanctions on Beijing.
The FAZ reminds us that the European Union has already imposed sanctions on Iran for supplying drones and ballistic missiles to Russia. These sanctions have affected Iranian airlines, among other things. On Monday, the EU is expected to take further steps regarding restrictions on Tehran.
Is China supplying drones to Russia? Sources are "credible"
Other media are also reporting information about Chinese support for the Kremlin. The Swiss Tages-Anzeiger states that evidence of drone deliveries by Beijing is "convincing" and "credible." Details of this matter are not known. However, journalists from Switzerland recall that the Russian company IEMZ Kupol tested a new type of drone called Garpiya-3 in western China. Chinese experts were reportedly involved in the development. This drone is said to be capable of carrying about 50 kilograms of explosives over a distance of about 2,000 kilometres.
As of now, it is unclear how Brussels will react to these reports. Media indicate that the dispatch of drones by Beijing would mean crossing a "red line". Various scenarios are being considered, including a ban on entry for some Chinese citizens into the EU, as well as a halt to trade in certain product categories. The problem is that the dependency on China is significant enough that sanctions would likely disrupt the EU market and impact consumers. "China supports Russia in this aggression, and this must have consequences," say EU officials, cited by Tages-Anzeiger.
China has long supported Russia
China's leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have long cooperated on many fronts. Beijing benefits from cheap raw materials from Russia, such as oil and gas, which could otherwise be destined for Europe. Both countries aim to revise the balance of power in the world and wish to push the United States out of Europe, potentially break up the European Union, or create a situation where it collaborates with them on terms set by these powers.
Although Beijing has never unequivocally sided with the Kremlin, diplomatic gestures, including the leaders' talks within the BRICS framework and during bilateral meetings, indicate whom China supports in this conflict. It was also notable that no representative from Beijing was sent to the peace summit in Switzerland. For several years, Western media have described the cooperation of Russia, China, along with Iran and North Korea, labeling it as a new axis of evil.
