US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has warned China that there would be “real costs” if it provided lethal aid to Russia in its war on Ukraine. Sullivan’s comments came after reports revealing that the Chinese government is considering providing Russia with drones and ammunition for use in the conflict.
It appears that Beijing has not made a final decision yet, and negotiations between the two countries are ongoing. Sullivan said that in diplomatic conversations with China, the US was “laying out both the stakes and the consequences” of such a move. Meanwhile, House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul said that Congress could prioritize weapons systems for Ukraine in its appropriations bills.
The US State Department reasserted that “Crimea is Ukraine” on the ninth anniversary of Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory. Sullivan would not say whether the Biden administration would support Ukraine deciding that victory would mean retaking Crimea.
Sullivan warned that the war in Ukraine presents complications for China and that if it provided military assistance to Russia, it would come at a cost. The US is not just making direct threats but is laying out both the stakes and consequences of such a move in diplomatic conversations with China.
Sullivan’s comments come amid reports that China is considering providing Russia with drones and ammunition for use in the war. Negotiations between the two countries are ongoing, and Beijing has not made a final decision yet.
Help for Ukraine
McCaul said that Congress could write into its appropriations bills to prioritize weapons systems for Ukraine, such as longer-range missile systems, such as ATACMS or F-16s. Sullivan said the administration was ruling out providing F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine for now, as the phase of the war requires tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, artillery, and tactical air defense systems. He added that the question of F-16s was for a later time.
The US State Department reasserted that “Crimea is Ukraine” on the ninth anniversary of Russia’s occupation of the Ukrainian territory. Sullivan would not say whether the Biden administration would support Ukraine deciding that victory would mean retaking Crimea.
Sullivan said that what ultimately happened with Crimea in the context of the war and a settlement of the war was something for the Ukrainians to determine with the support of the United States.
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