US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that China is aware of the risks that await it if it provides military aid to Russia, while Beijing said that Washington is the one that sends weapons to the battlefield, not China.
Blinken indicated - during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara - that his country is watching with concern Chinese aid to Russia, especially in the field of weapons.
He added that Washington had informed the Chinese side of its fears of supplying weapons to Russia, and that the matter may require some sanctions.
In turn, the European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned - today, Monday - China against supplying Russia with weapons for the war it is waging in Ukraine, after Beijing denounced US accusations that it could take such a step.
Borrell said he told Wang Yi, China's top diplomat, that "for us, (supplying arms to Russia) would be a red line in our relationship. He told me that they won't do it, they don't plan to do it... but we will remain vigilant."
Beijing condemns the US accusations
On the other hand, Beijing denounced what it described as "false" accusations made by the United States, stating that China is studying the possibility of arming Russia in its war on Ukraine.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said - in a regular press conference - that "it is the United States that sends weapons to the battlefield without stopping, not China."
He added that China "urges the United States to reflect on its actions, do more to improve the situation and promote peace and dialogue, and stop shirking responsibility and spreading false information."
The statement came after US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said - in an interview with CBS - that China is "now considering providing lethal support" to Moscow, starting with "ammunition to weapons themselves."
He made similar statements in a series of interviews while he was in Germany, where he participated last Saturday in the Munich Security Conference and met his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.
Blinken's accusations came at a time of exacerbation of the already existing tension in relations between the two superpowers, after Washington shot down a balloon that it said was Chinese for espionage purposes.
There have been concerns that China is deepening its ties with Russia, but Wang Wenbin said that Beijing plays a constructive role and supports dialogue.
"We do not accept the United States pointing fingers at Sino-Russian relations, as well as coercion and pressure," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said.
"China's approach on the Ukrainian issue can be summed up in one sentence, which is urging peace and promoting dialogue," he added.