Relations between Russia and China are considered to be getting closer in
the midst of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine which has taken place since
February 24.
Despite repeatedly insisting that it does not support war, China is said to
have provided a number of aids for Russia to launch its aggression against
Ukraine, which has entered its third week.
The following is a list of aid that China is alleged to have provided to
Russia in order to launch Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.
Food
Russia has sought military and financial assistance from China amid the
conflict with Ukraine. Some of the assistance requested was military food
packages that were not perishable.
As reported by CNN on Monday (14/3), the request underscores the basic
logistical challenges that experts have long believed are hindering Russia's
progress in Ukraine.
Previously, several sources reported that Russian troops were breaking into
grocery stores in search of food during the invasion.
Thus, one source stated that food was a Russian request that China might be
able to fulfill. This is believed to be because it does not become a lethal
aid which is considered provocative by the West.
Food aid to Russia is considered the safest for China to avoid sanctions
from the US and Western countries.
Finance
China has reportedly decided to provide economic assistance and financial
support for Russia to launch its invasion of Ukraine.
In theory, Russia is in dire straits and needs economic and financial
assistance. Because, his invasion of Ukraine has triggered a shower of
criticism, sanctions, and an international boycott.
Various countries, not only the West, have implemented various sanctions and
embargoes against Russia. Global companies in various sectors have also
limited or even cut off their business in Russia.
Call it Apple Inc, McDonald's, IKEA, H&M, which are a few global brands
that have decided to stop their operations in Russia as a form of protest
against the invasion of Ukraine.
Financial services such as Visa and Mastercard have also cut operations in
Russia, leaving millions of Russians and foreigners there unable to transact
with accounts bearing the two companies' logos.
Western countries even agreed to kick Russian banks from the financial
system of the Society Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication
(SWIFT).
SWIFT is a messaging network used by banks and other financial institutions
to send and receive transaction information quickly and securely.
Now SWIFT not only provides payment instructions or funds transfer messages,
but also manages security transactions, treasury transactions, trade
transactions, and system transactions worldwide.
As a result of Russia's isolation from the global financial system,
President Vladimir Putin's government is in danger of defaulting on its
debts. Reported by The Guardian, Russia has two deadlines for paying
interest on debt that matures on Wednesday (16/3).
Russia has been unable to access nearly all of its $640 billion gold and
foreign exchange reserves. Even so, Russia is said to still hold some of its
asset reserves in the form of yuan.
That makes China more likely to step in to help Russia in its current
financial troubles.
"This is really the project of Chinese President Xi Jinping. He is really,
fundamentally behind this closer partnership with Russia," the US official
said.
Military
In addition to logistical and financial assistance, the US also expressed
suspicions that China had offered military assistance to Russia.
CNN sources from US military officials said they had information on these
indications. The information has also been passed on to the North Atlantic
Treaty Organization (NATO) and US allies.
However, it is not yet clear whether such assistance will actually be
provided by China to Russia.
A number of senior US officials claim that China is currently considering
sending military supplies such as weapons and drones to Russia.
Some of Russia's main shopping lists today are Chinese drones and various
types of ammunition. Even
so, the delivery of this defense equipment cannot be done openly.
The Russian military is also said to have requested ration packages from
China, underscoring its dire logistical problems in a conflict Russia says
it never thought would last this long.
Even so, China itself is said to be still wary of the consequences of
economic sanctions if it fully helps Russia.
Moreover, there is still disagreement among the Chinese Communist Party
regarding military and financial aid. One of the assistance that China may
still be able to fulfill is food logistics support for Russia in invading
Ukraine.
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