U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said today that the U.S. government has evidence that suggests Chinese companies may be supporting Russia in its war in Ukraine, bypassing Western sanctions. For this reason, he called on Beijing to take strict measures.

As Yellen said in an interview she gave in San Francisco, she raised the specific issue in her contacts with Chinese Vice President He Lifeng, stressing that if it is proven that companies provide material support to Russia’s defense industry, they will face “serious consequences” ».

“We are determined to do everything we can to stop the flow of material that helps Russia wage this barbaric and illegal war,” he said, warning of sanctions against any companies that help Moscow’s war machine.

“We would like to see tougher measures from China, especially since we are able to provide information,” Janet Yellen said, without naming any companies or the response she received from the Chinese vice president. However, he clarified that he is referring to private companies and that he does not imply that they acted with the blessings of Beijing.