By Courtney Kube -
NBC News
The United States believes China may be providing non-lethal military aid to Russia in the Ukraine war, four US officials familiar with the matter told NBC News exclusively.
In addition, the Joe Biden government is concerned that the Chinese regime is considering sending lethal aid, according to these sources.
Although China has provided some assistance to Russia, including spreading disinformation campaigns and false pretenses about the war, this information refers to more tangible collaboration for Russian troops in Ukraine, according to these sources.
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The officials declined to give details about the non-lethal military assistance, but said it could include equipment for the Russian spring offensive, such as uniforms or bulletproof vests.
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In the weeks after Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly a year ago, the president and his National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan warned China not to provide Russia with material support for the war or face consequences.
China appeared to be complying and did not sell lethal weapons to Russia.
"We've been clear about our concern about lethal aid. We haven't seen them cross that line yet, but we don't think they've taken it off the table," said a source familiar with the matter, adding that China is trying to "creep to the front lines without getting caught", and that recent trends point to more tangible support from the Chinese regime for Russia.
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The Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and the head of Chinese diplomacy, Wang Yi, met this Saturday after the Security Conference in Munich (Germany), and a familiar source said that this was "an essential topic in the conversation" .
Blinken and other US officials have shared information about Chinese aid to Russia with US allies during the conference.
Speaking at the conference, Vice President Kamala Harris said China has moved closer to Russia since the war began, which "worries" the US. “Any move to provide lethal support to Russia would only reward aggression, would continue the massacre and further undermine the order" of international norms, he said.
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In January, the Bloomberg news agency and CNN reported that the Biden administration confronted Chinese officials with evidence suggesting Chinese companies were providing non-lethal support to Russia in the war.
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Now US officials say the aid is coming from the Chinese authorities themselves.
It is unclear whether the support would violate any international sanctions, the officials said, or if the US will impose sanctions on China for this non-lethal support, but sources familiar with the Biden Administration's strategy say the US will not hesitate to act against those who violate the sanctions.
