The U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has asserted that China plays a crucial role in bolstering Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. He suggested that Beijing could potentially end the conflict with a simple phone call to Moscow.
During a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, Whitaker stated, “China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow, as well as halt the sale of dual-use technologies to him.” He emphasized that the ongoing conflict is “fully supported by China.”
Since the onset of the large-scale war, relations between China and Russia have reportedly strengthened. According to Bloomberg, Russia has become increasingly reliant on China for essential components and parts for drones and other military equipment.
Moreover, China has resumed its position as the largest buyer of Russian crude oil, despite growing international pressure on this vital trade for Moscow. Data tracking indicates that in January, Chinese ports received an average of 1.65 million barrels of oil per day, marking the highest level since March 2024 and the second-largest monthly total since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Despite this, Beijing has repeatedly expressed its desire to take on a “constructive” role in resolving the crisis. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiga noted that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with him in Munich this week, during which China offered humanitarian assistance to Ukraine in light of Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
U.S. NATO Ambassador Matthew Whitaker has accused China of significantly aiding Russia's military efforts in Ukraine, suggesting that Beijing could halt the conflict. This assertion comes amid reports of deepening ties between China and Russia, particularly in energy trade and military supplies.