Senior Biden administration officials allege that China is providing critical support to Russia's defense industry on a scale enabling Moscow's most significant military build-up since the Soviet era. This aid, they claim, is directly contributing to Russia's prolonged war effort against Ukraine.
According to officials, China and Russia are jointly manufacturing drones within Russia. China's supply of materials directly fills gaps in Russia's defense production caused by US-led sanctions and export controls.
As a result, Russia's ability to sustain its military campaign has been bolstered, even as Ukraine struggles with equipment shortages. This situation is worsened by a lack of US military aid to Ukraine, with Republicans in Congress blocking a vote on a new assistance package.
"China's inputs are critically important in helping Russia reconstitute its military capabilities. Russia's success in this realm would directly threaten Ukraine's survival," a senior administration official told CNN.
US European Command's Gen. Chris Cavoli informed lawmakers that despite initial setbacks, Russia has largely rebuilt its military capacity to pre-invasion levels. US officials assert this rapid recovery is directly attributable to China.
In 2023 alone, 90% of Russia's microelectronics imports—vital for missiles, tanks, and aircraft—originated from China. Nitrocellulose supplies from China are reportedly fueling Russia's dramatically increased production of artillery munitions. Russia now appears set to outproduce the combined output of the US and Europe in artillery rounds by a factor of three.
Beyond hardware, China also assists Russia in enhancing its satellite and space-based capabilities, giving Russia an advantage in the Ukraine conflict. Some intelligence sources used by the US officials have been downgraded to protect sources and methods.
President Biden raised concerns directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping in a recent call, echoing warnings delivered by other senior US officials to their Chinese counterparts. The issue was also discussed by Secretary of State Blinken during a recent European trip. While China has avoided supplying Russia with lethal weaponry, non-lethal inputs remain impactful.
US officials insist pressuring China to halt its support is crucial, though this success may be difficult to gauge. China and Russia's deepening partnership is clear, with President Xi recently highlighting growing coordination with Putin. Earlier, Treasury Secretary Yellen warned China of 'significant consequences' for aiding Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The Biden administration has also implemented an executive order targeting banks that facilitate support to Russia's defense industry, encouraging global compliance to avoid potential US sanctions.
