According to Russian media, the Chinese side opposes sanctions against Russia and intends to trade with the aggressor country.
On Friday, March 25, Russian media reported on a number of trade agreements and supplies concluded and carried out between China and the Russian Federation.
Thus, the Russian news agency “Interfax”, citing Bloomberg, reports that Chinese traders have supplied the Russian “Rusal” with two trial batches of alumina.
“The relatively small volume is due to the need to check whether the cargo will face any problems caused by logistics disruptions or sanctions . If the scheme is sustainable in terms of logistics, finances and legal consequences, traders will be ready for further deliveries, ready to ship 30 more thousands of tons, “the report said.
The corresponding message did appear on the Bloomberg website.
At the same time, the Russian news agency TASS, citing Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui, is already making an almost direct statement about China's intention to increase imports of Russian coal, seafood and other goods from Russia.
The ambassador noted that the Chinese side opposes sanctions against Russia.
“Some countries want to force China to join the anti-Russian alliance. But I reaffirm that China is independent in this regard,” TASS quoted him as saying.
Read also: The United States will warn China of possible international isolation in the event of Russian support
It will be recalled that last week Joe Biden and Xi Jinping were unable to overcome their differences over the war in Ukraine. At the same time , the US president warned of “consequences” if Beijing provided military aid to the Kremlin , and the Chinese leader criticized the “broad and indiscriminate sanctions” imposed on Russia by the West.
U.S. officials did not provide further details about China's possible punishment after the phone call and did not assess whether Xi had already decided to support Russia.
But Jen Psaki, a White House spokeswoman, said the United States had “a number of tools” at its disposal, including sanctions, and a possible Western response is likely to be discussed when Biden travels to Europe to meet with NATO, EU and leaders. G7.
“Let's see … what decision China will make in the coming days and weeks,” a Biden administration official told reporters , adding that the call between the two leaders was aimed at allowing Xi and Biden to hold “a direct, frank, detailed and very substantial conversation “.
China was a major supporter of Putin both on the eve of the invasion and in the first weeks of the conflict.
Earlier it was reported that Russia has asked China to provide military equipment to support aggression against Ukraine.
