U.S. Calls on Europe to Address Concerns Over China-Russia Defense Relations

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The United States is calling on its European partners to more vigorously express concerns regarding China’s increasing defense collaboration with Russia, as stated by U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell on Tuesday.

During meetings with officials from Belgium, NATO, and the EU that took place over the past week, Campbell shared insights about China’s significant support for Russia’s military industrial sector and its implications on the battlefield in Ukraine.

He noted that much of this support has been provided covertly.

"We’ve encouraged our European colleagues to take stronger actions and synchronize with us on our public expressions of concern, along with indications that we are preparing to take measures to signal our discontent," Campbell remarked.

The Deputy Secretary suggested that closely monitoring specific financial institutions and communicating this clearly could lead to "significant consequences," as both China and Russia are attentive to the financial system and anxious about potential actions against them.

Campbell elaborated on Russia’s growing collaboration with China in research and development in sectors such as submarines, aeronautical design—including stealth technology—and missile capabilities.

He pointed out that advancements in Chinese submarines could potentially jeopardize the United States’ existing undersea advantages. Additionally, Russian support in enhancing certain military technologies for China would have "an important, negative, and concerning impact" on other nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

According to Campbell, the United States, the EU, and NATO allies are increasingly aligned in their approach to China.

"There are a few countries that perhaps lag and maintain differing viewpoints. Nevertheless, the overall trend within both the EU and NATO is shifting towards heightened concern regarding various actions being taken by China," he noted.