China sees Russia as ally in geopolitical confrontation with US - diplomat Klimkin

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

"China will not directly support Putin. However, they do not want to lose contacts with Russia either. China does not want to lose the Russian regime, because they need it as an ally in the geopolitical confrontation with the US. China also needs resources. After the embargo on Russian energy was imposed, oil supplies to India and China increased. And China will buy even more," Klimkin explained.

The diplomat emphasized that Russian energy resources play a very important role in the Chinese economy.

"China does not benefit from any collapse in Russia. It is afraid of the destabilization in Russia’s situation. After all, Russian resources are very important to them. And in case of destabilization of the Russian Federation, they may be left with nothing. In particular, they may lose a cheap energy market and an ally in their own geopolitical game," he added.

• On February 18, the Wall Street Journal reported that despite the sanctions, Russia continues to import civilian Chinese DJI drones through its distributors and from the Gulf countries.

• US officials claimed that China could be providing non-lethal military aid to Russia for use in Ukraine, including uniforms and even bulletproof vests. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that if the country supported Russia's armed aggression, it would have "serious consequences for interstate relations."

• Subsequently, the US warned China against making a decision to provide Russia with lethal military assistance, as this would cross a "red line."

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said there was a risk of a world war if China supported Russia in a war with Ukraine.