Washington has warned of the consequences of China providing Russia with what it described as "lethal" support, at a time when Ukraine's allies have recognized a major ammunition crisis in Kiev.
And US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned - today, Sunday - that Beijing is considering sending "weapons" to Russia in support of its war in Ukraine, stressing that any supplies that would "lead to a serious problem."
With the conflict approaching its second year, the European Union warned of a shortage of ammunition in Ukraine, stressing the need to find a solution within weeks.
Blinken said - in a statement to CBS - that our concern "is based on information we have that they are considering providing lethal support to Russia," referring to the Chinese.
When asked about the nature of this lethal support, Blinken responded by saying, "Everything that ranges between ammunition and weapons in themselves."
US Secretary of State Blinken (left) and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi during a previous meeting (agencies)
Similar statements
In Germany, where he participated yesterday, Saturday, in the Munich Security Conference and met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, Blinken made similar statements in a number of interviews with him conducted by American television stations.
When meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Blinken warned of "repercussions and consequences" in the event that "China provides material support to Russia or assistance that involves a systematic circumvention of sanctions," according to US State Department spokesman Ned Price.
At the Munich conference, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned of a decline in Ukraine's stock of bullets and ammunition.
"Ukraine is in a critical situation in terms of ammunition," Borrell said. "This shortage of ammunition must be resolved quickly, it's a matter of weeks."