Condemns News Of Russia's Request For Military Assistance For Operations In Ukraine, China: False Information

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian. (Twitter/@zlj517)

JAKARTA - Beijing has denounced Washington's recent accusations of disinformation, saying Russia sought military assistance from China to conduct special military operations in Ukraine.

China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a press statement Monday local time.

"The accusations about the matter being disseminated by the US are false information", Zhao said, citing TASS March 14.

According to him, recently Washington has deliberately circulated misinformation about China regarding developments in Ukraine. Zhao Lijian also emphasized that China's attitude towards Ukraine is coherent and clear.

On this occasion, Zhao reiterated that Beijing has always played a constructive war in the process of building peace and entering into negotiations.

"At this time, it is important that all parties exercise restraint, contribute to de-escalating the situation, and not add fuel to the fire, (but) promote a diplomatic settlement of this issue and not its escalation", Zhao Lijian concluded.

Earlier, the Financial Times reported Russia had requested Chinese military equipment to support its invasion of Ukraine, according to US officials, sparking fears in the White House that Beijing could undermine western efforts to help Ukrainian forces defend their country.

US officials say Russia has requested military equipment and other assistance since the start of the invasion. They declined to provide details on what Russia was asking for.

In response, US National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan, who will meet top Chinese diplomat, Yang Jiechi, in Rome on Monday, warned Beijing would face serious consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Sullivan plans in his meeting with Yang to clarify Washington's concerns while mapping out the consequences and increasing isolation China would face globally if it stepped up its support for Russia, a US official said, without providing details.

Sullivan said Washington was watching closely to see the extent to which Beijing provided economic or material support to Russia, and would bear consequences if it did.

"We communicate directly, personally to Beijing, that there will inevitably be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support for Russia to replenish them", Sullivan said.

"We will not allow that to continue and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world", he stressed.