Russia Wants Armed Drones From China For Ukraine War, US Warns Europe

The U.S. has warned European allies that Russia asked China for armed drones in late February as it was beginning its invasion of Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter.

The request has alarmed Biden administration officials who are seeking to prevent China — Russia’s most powerful diplomatic partner — from coming to Vladimir Putin’s aid in the war, according to the people, who described the matter on condition of anonymity.

On Monday, White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and China’s top diplomat, Communist Party Politburo member Yang Jiechi met for six hours in Rome to discuss a range of issues, including Ukraine. One U.S. official described the meeting as intense but declined to say whether the request for military aid came up, while Yang afterward called on all sides to exercise restraint in the conflict.

Before the Sullivan and Yang meeting, American officials began disclosing Russia’s bid for military and economic assistance. Asked about the drone request a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Monday night referred to an earlier statement from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian. “The U.S. has been maliciously spreading disinformation targeting China,” Zhao said. “We have been playing a constructive part in promoting peace talks.”

The Biden administration has sought to persuade Beijing to use its influence with Moscow to help end a conflict that has now entered its third week. The president’s top advisers have pressured China to enforce sanctions on Russia’s economy imposed by the U.S. and its European and Asian allies.