By Athena Papakosta

Strict warning to Beijing in order not to strengthen the Russia with weapons. This message comes through the mouth of the American Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken to the top diplomat of China, Wang Yi, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Typically, Anthony Blinken stressed that “we are very concerned that China is visiting to provide lethal support to Russia for its attack on Ukraine and I have made it clear that this would have serious consequences.”

Beijing, for its part, denies that Moscow has requested military equipment. However, the Chinese president Xi Jinping was and remains a close ally of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin and to this day – almost a year after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – he has not condemned the war while insisting on maintaining a neutral stance in the conflict while calling for peace.

The US Secretary of StateAnthony Blinken, speaking to the American network CBS confirmed that he expressed his “deep concern” about the possibility that China would provide lethal material support to Russia. “To date, we have seen Chinese companies provide non-lethal support to Russia for use in Ukraine. The concern we have now is based on information we have that they are considering providing lethal support,” he said.

Of course, he did not elaborate on what kind of information Washington allegedly has about China’s potential plans. But when pressed about what the United States thought China could give Moscow, Mr Blinken admitted it could mainly supply the Russian invaders with arms and ammunition.

As is immediately understandable the possibility of Washington if confirmed and China actually supplying weapons to the Russian armed forces would mark a rupture in already strained Sino-American relations.

Blinken’s stern message, analysts say, amounts to warning of Washington to prevent Beijing from acting accordingly and comes at a time when the US and China have exchanged heated words regarding the ongoing hot air balloon series.

At the same time, the NATO can and does supply Ukraine with a range of weapons, ammunition and equipment. Tanks are also included in this aid, while – for now – the brakes have been put on Kiev’s supply of fighter jets.

China explains that although it has not been idle, it insists that it has not added fuel to the fire regarding the crisis in Ukraine. According to top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi, Beijing will soon present a new proposal to resolve the war in Ukraine, which will respect the national sovereignty of all countries. “I suggest that everyone should start thinking calmly, especially the friends in Europe, about what kind of efforts we can make to stop this war,” Mr. Wang specifically emphasized. At the same time, it has been reported (but remains unconfirmed) that Chinese President Xi Jinping has decided to make a speech on peace on February 24, the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

But the West is completely dissatisfied by Beijing’s stance and distrust with the United States concerned that China is helping Russia avoid the high cost of Western sanctions, which were designed and imposed to bring Moscow to its knees economically.

Kiev is culminating in its pressure on the West to provide enhanced military aid. The UK appears willing but French President Emmanuel Macron is reiterating his position that he does not want Russia to collapse, making it clear that France does not want an attack on Russian soil.

From their side neither United States they answer whether they will give in to the new demand – demand of Kiev for its supply of fighters and the discussion for the next day remains on the table but does not bring any result and the war in Ukraine next Friday enters its second year.