Borrell informs EU countries of China's first weapon transfer to Russia – media

According to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Borrell called the evidence "convincing," confirming that China is providing "lethal support" to Russia. He urged the EU to consider retaliatory actions, including sanctions and said all available measures should be on the table.

“We must consider all options,” he stressed, noting that the EU has new sanctions lists, which could include business bans on Chinese companies, asset freezes, and travel restrictions.

Borrell also called for direct dialogue with China, pointing out the gap between Beijing's stated neutrality and its actual support for Russia.

According to another source, Europe’s response will depend on how China reacts to the investigation’s findings. The debate over sanctions is still in the early stages.

In late September, Reuters reported that a subsidiary of Russia's state defense corporation Almaz-Antey, called Kupol, developed and tested a new long-range combat drone in China, with the help of Chinese experts. Kupol was looking to set up mass production of drones in China for use in the war against Ukraine.

Read also: What is Russia, represented by Shoigu, seeking in China?

According to two European intelligence sources and documents, including emails and payment receipts, seven military drones were delivered from China to Kupol's headquarters in Izhevsk, Russia. This included two Garpiya-3 drones (G3), which can carry a 50-kilogram explosive and fly up to 2,000 kilometers.

While there is no direct evidence that the Chinese government was involved, a senior EU official said it's hard to believe the Chinese authorities were unaware of these actions. The U.S. is also considering sanctions, and the EU, NATO, and the U.S. are all concerned, awaiting clarification from China. If the reports are confirmed, it would mean China is violating its neutral stance and providing lethal support to Russia.

• Military expert and editor-in-chief of Defense Express, Oleh Katkov, discussed the impact of Chinese supplies on the defense industries of Ukraine and Russia.