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The head of Ukrainian intelligence saw no sign that China intends to arm Russia. PHOTO/Reuters
KIEV – Head of military intelligence Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov, menepis klaim bahwa China is considering giving weapons to Russia. He told US media he saw no “signs that such things are even being discussed”.
Earlier, senior US officials said recently that they “believe” China is considering supplying deadly equipment to Moscow, with a campaign of diplomatic pressure underway to prevent it from doing so.
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But when asked about the possibility in a lengthy interview with Voice of America published on Monday, Budanov said he disagreed.
“Until now, I didn’t think China would agree to an arms transfer to Russia,” he said. “I don’t see any signs that such things are even being discussed,” Budanov continued, as quoted by AFP.
Earlier this month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken aired Washington’s concerns about a potential weapons shipment in a tense meeting with his Chinese counterpart, and the CIA director said in an interview on Sunday that he believes Beijing is still considering the possibility.
During a visit to Kazakhstan, Blinken again said that China should know the “implications and consequences” of assisting Russia on the military front. “China can’t have it both ways when it comes to Russian aggression in Ukraine,” Blinken told reporters.
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“It is impossible to put forward a peace proposal on one side while actually fueling the fire that Russia has started,” he said, referring to a recent proposal by Beijing for negotiations.
Media reports quoted unnamed US officials as saying China was deciding whether to provide drones and certain ammunition to Russia.
Asked specifically about the US assessment, Budanov said: “I am the head of intelligence and I rely, with all due respect, not on individual opinions, but only on facts. I don’t see facts like that.”
(esn)
