G7 considers sanctioning Chinese companies for helping Russia

The goal is to coordinate a package of measures by February 24, the one year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said the people, who asked not to be named.

The discussions are still at an early stage, and the actions taken by each country in the G7 they might not be the same, said one of the people. They are also evaluating which companies could be included, the people said.

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Spokesmen for the White House National Security Council declined to comment.

Any move would reflect the G7’s efforts to disrupt the flow of military material to Russia through third countries that did not sign on to the sanctions imposed after its invasion. There are concerns that the companies may be helping Russia circumvent sanctions, the people said.

USA He has already raised concerns with China about non-lethal equipment provided to Russia, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken was set to pursue the issue on a trip to Beijing that was postponed after an alleged Chinese spy balloon was detected. crossing USA

China has previously defended itself against accusations that some of its state-owned companies may be aiding Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying Washington should stop sending weapons if it wants the conflict to end. China would “never add fuel to the fire, let alone exploit the crisis,” Mao Ning, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, said in late January.

Still, China’s strategic partnership with Russia has momentum and will continue to grow, the government said this month.

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Ukraine’s allies have already sanctioned Iranian companies allegedly supplying drones to Russia and are now seeking to expand those measures. They have also singled out North Korea for providing ammunition to Moscow. Both Iran and North Korea deny having helped Russia in its war. Some G7 nations believe that Chinese companies are selling technology components, such as microchips, that benefit Russia militarily.

Diplomatic efforts are also underway to address any potential sanctions loopholes that Russia may be exploiting, with equipment potentially flowing through countries including the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and India.