Financial Times: China signalled openness to providing Russia with military support

The US has told allies that China signalled its willingness to provide military assistance after Russia requested equipment.

Report informs, citing Financial Times, that two officials familiar with the content of the cables said Washington had told allies that Russia had asked China for five types of equipment, including the surface-to-air missiles. The other categories were drones, intelligence-related equipment, armoured vehicles, and vehicles used for logistics and support.

The cables, which were sent by the US state department to allies in Europe and Asia, were not specific about the level or timing of any assistance that may be provided to Moscow by Beijing. One of the officials said the US had not provided allies with the intelligence underpinning its assessments.

The Chinese embassy in the US on Sunday said it had no knowledge of any Russian request or positive Chinese response to Moscow. Russia on Monday also denied making any request to China.