US National Security Advisor: "There Will Be Consequences if China Provides Lethal Weapons to Russia"

Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor
Photo by AP Yonhap News

Jake Sullivan, the U.S. White House National Security Advisor, stated on the 26th (local time) that although China is suspected of trying to supply weapons to Russia, it has not yet provided lethal weapons, but such an option has not been ruled out.

Appearing on CNN that day, Sullivan said regarding China's possible provision of lethal weapons to Russia, "We have not actually seen China make a final decision to provide such support, nor have we seen such support being provided." However, on ABC, he said, "China has not moved toward providing lethal weapons, but that option has not been excluded from discussion."

Sullivan emphasized, "We will closely monitor and remain vigilant. At this point, when cities are being bombed, civilians are being killed, and atrocities are being committed, providing military support to Russia would be a serious mistake, and we will continue to send a strong message to that effect."

He also addressed CIA Director William Burns' statement on CBS that he is confident China has considered supplying lethal weapons to Russia, saying, "This means Director Burns also said that China has not yet done so."

In an interview, Director Burns said, "We are confident that China is considering providing lethal weapons to Russia," but added, "We have not yet seen a final decision made, nor evidence that lethal weapons have actually been shipped."

Additionally, Michael McCaul, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, who appeared on ABC the same day, revealed that intelligence agencies have identified that China is considering sending drones to Russia.

Sullivan warned that China would pay a heavy price if it provides military support to Russia. He said, "China will have to decide for itself how to proceed with military support, but if it takes that path, there will be real consequences." U.S. President Joe Biden also stated on the 24th that if China ignores warnings not to supply weapons to Russia, "there will be a response."

Regarding whether the U.S. will provide F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine, Sullivan drew a line, saying that at this stage, Ukraine needs tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, and "F-16s are a matter for later."

In this context, Chairman McCaul pointed out, "If momentum is not secured as Russia's offensive begins, they will gain time to counterattack," and criticized that "(slow support for Ukraine) is exactly what Putin wants."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.