Germany has labelled reports that Russian soldiers are being trained in China as 'deeply disturbing', as Berlin steps up pressure on Beijing over its deepening military ties with Moscow.
Germany expresses alarm over China-Russia military cooperation
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday that intelligence suggesting Russian troops are receiving training on Chinese soil was a 'serious escalation' that undermined international efforts to isolate Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. 'If confirmed, this would be a deeply disturbing development and a clear violation of the spirit of the UN Charter,' Baerbock told reporters in Berlin.
According to an unnamed Western intelligence official cited by German media, the training is taking place at a military facility in northeastern China and involves around 200 Russian soldiers learning drone warfare and electronic warfare tactics. The report, first published by the Süddeutsche Zeitung, claims the training began in late June and is scheduled to last for several weeks.
China denies allegations, calls for evidence
China's foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin rejected the allegations as 'baseless and malicious slander' during a regular press briefing on Tuesday. 'China has always adhered to a principle of non-interference in the Ukraine crisis and opposes any unfounded accusations,' Wang said. He challenged Germany to provide concrete evidence, adding that Beijing maintains a 'neutral stance' on the conflict.
The German government has not publicly released the intelligence but has privately shared it with allies, according to a diplomatic source. The source said the information was 'credible' and came from multiple channels, including signals intelligence.
Impact on EU-China relations
The revelations come as European Union leaders prepare to discuss further sanctions against Russia and measures to prevent third countries from circumventing existing restrictions. EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell warned that any military assistance to Russia from China would have 'serious consequences' for bilateral relations. 'We are monitoring the situation very closely. If these reports are accurate, it would represent a fundamental shift in China's position and would be met with a strong response,' Borrell said in a statement.
Germany's Economy Minister Robert Habeck, who recently returned from a trade mission to China, said the reports could complicate efforts to de-escalate trade tensions between the EU and China. 'We have always separated economic interests from geopolitical issues, but this would be a major challenge to that approach,' Habeck said.
Strategic implications for Ukraine war
Military analysts say that Russian soldiers receiving training in China could help Moscow offset its heavy losses in Ukraine and improve its capabilities in key areas such as drone operations. 'The Russian military has suffered significant casualties and equipment losses. Training in China could help them replenish skills and adapt to modern warfare,' said Dr. Liudmyla Kryshevych, a defence expert at the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Ukraine's foreign ministry condemned the alleged training, calling it 'a direct act of aggression against Ukraine and the international order'. A statement from Kyiv urged China to 'immediately cease any military cooperation with Russia' and warned that such actions would be remembered.
The United States also weighed in, with State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller saying Washington was 'deeply concerned' and would raise the issue with Chinese counterparts. 'We have been clear that there will be consequences for any country that supports Russia's war of aggression,' Miller said.
