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Ukraine’s head of military intelligence has dismissed fears that China is considering supplying arms to Russia, telling US media that he sees no “signs that such things are even being discussed”, as Moscow’s forces press their offensive around the embattled city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. All times are Paris time (GMT+1).
Contents
6:40am: Ukraine intel chief sees no sign China plans to arm Russia
Ukraine’s head of military intelligence has brushed aside claims that China is considering supplying arms to Russia, telling US media that he saw no “signs that such things are even being discussed”.
Senior US officials have said as recently as Sunday that they were “confident” China was considering providing lethal equipment to Moscow, with a diplomatic pressure campaign underway to discourage it from doing so.
But when asked about the possibility in a lengthy interview with Voice of America published on Monday, Ukrainian military intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov said: “I do not share this opinion.”
“As of now, I do not think that China will agree to the transfer of weapons to Russia,” he said. “I do not see any signs that such things are even being discussed.”
5:35am: Belarus leader and Putin ally Lukashenko on China visit
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, is due in Beijing to begin a three-day state visit as geopolitical tensions rise over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
China has described the visit is an “opportunity to promote the further development of all-around cooperation between the two countries”, but there have been growing concerns that Beijing is considering providing military assistance to Russia, something United States officials say would bring serious consequences.
China has called the US allegations a smear campaign, saying it is committed to…
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