Washington:
A bipartisan committee of the U.S. Congress on Monday urged the White House to provide detailed information on whether Russia is sharing knowledge with China on how to counter American weapons used on the battlefield in Ukraine. In a letter to National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, the House Select Committee on China warned that adjustments made by Russia on the battlefield, which weaken some American weapon systems, are likely to end up in Chinese hands. This includes Russian electronic warfare systems aimed at American guided weapons.
What Did the Committee Tell the White House?
Republican Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote, "We must assume and indeed operate under the assumption that Russia is sharing information with the PRC (People's Republic of China) about vulnerabilities or countermeasures regarding U.S. and allied weapon systems." The lawmakers cited media and think tank reports on China's support for Russian military industries and "dangerous levels of Russian adaptations" that have reduced the effectiveness of several unnamed American weapon systems.
Reducing U.S. Weapons in Ukraine
They urged Sullivan to assess Russia's capability to counter and neutralize American weapons deployed in Ukraine. They also emphasized that the Biden administration should determine the extent to which Russia has shared "lessons learned" with China, as well as the reflection of Russian military innovations in Chinese military efforts. The White House National Security Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Over $50 Billion in Military Aid from the U.S.
The U.S. is Ukraine's largest supporter, providing more than $50 billion in military aid since the Russian invasion began in 2022. On Thursday, Washington announced a new $225 million security package for Ukraine, including Patriot missile batteries, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and additional ammunition for missiles, among other items.
NATO Criticizes China
Last week, NATO called China a "decisive supporter" of Russia's war efforts and urged Beijing to stop supporting Russia's war, which started just days before Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine under a "no limits" partnership with Moscow. China responded to NATO's comments by calling them biased and stated that its support for Russia is entirely normal trade.