China offers Ukraine aid while accused of enabling Russia war effort

China offered new humanitarian energy aid to Ukraine this week — even as a senior U.S. official said Beijing had the power to stop the Russian invasion and chose not to.

“China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow and give up the dual-use technologies that they are selling,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker said during a panel Friday on U.S. foreign policy at the Munich Security Conference, moderated by Bloomberg.

“China could stop buying Russian oil and gas,” he added.

“You know, this war is entirely facilitated by China.”

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Whitaker’s remarks came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the conference and pledged what both sides described as humanitarian energy aid to help Ukraine deal with ongoing Russian strikes on its power infrastructure.

Sybiha said on social media that he was grateful for China’s decision to provide an additional energy aid package. Media in Kyiv, Ukraine and Beijing described the meeting as focused on peace efforts, bilateral relations and support for Ukraine’s energy system, which has repeatedly been the target of Russian missile and drone attacks.

China has not publicly disclosed the size or scope of its aid program.

China offered new humanitarian energy aid to Ukraine this week, even as a senior U.S. official said Beijing had the power to stop the Russian invasion — and chose not to. (Ken Ishii – Piscine/Getty Images)

Beijing has repeatedly said it seeks to play a “constructive” role in ending the crisis and maintains it is not a party to the conflict. Chinese officials have denied providing lethal military assistance to Moscow and say they support dialogue and a political settlement.

However, US officials increasingly view China as Russia’s main external supporter.

Whitaker said in Munich that China was providing “crucial support” for Russian aggression. Russia relies heavily on China for critical parts and components used in drones and other war equipment, Western officials say, even as Beijing publicly distances itself from direct arms transfers.

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“China could call Vladimir Putin and end this war tomorrow and give up the dual-use technologies that they are selling,” U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker, second from right, said during a Friday debate on U.S. foreign policy at the Munich Security Conference, moderated by Bloomberg. (Brendan Smialowski – Piscine/Getty Images)

China and Russia have deepened their partnership since the start of the war, expanding trade and financial cooperation. Moscow is increasingly relying on Chinese technology, industrial products and financial channels as Western sanctions tighten.

China is once again the largest buyer of Russian crude oil. Tracking data shows that around 1.65 million barrels of crude per day were unloaded at Chinese ports in January – the highest level since March 2024 and the second highest monthly total since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

These purchases provide Moscow with a key source of revenue as Western governments attempt to limit Russia’s financing of the war through sanctions and price caps.

The juxtaposition in Munich was stark: Beijing offered to help repair Ukraine’s energy grid while remaining a major buyer of the oil that funds the Russian war machine that Western officials say is destroying it.

Whitaker’s remarks came as Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on the sidelines of the conference and pledged what both sides described as humanitarian energy aid to help Ukraine deal with ongoing Russian strikes on its power infrastructure. (Sergei Grits/Associated Press)

Beijing rejects the accusation that it favors war, arguing instead that sanctions and military escalation will not resolve the conflict and that it supports negotiations.

By maintaining diplomatic channels with Ukraine and offering humanitarian support, Beijing retains a foothold in possible discussions on post-war reconstruction, even as its economic ties with Moscow strengthen.

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For European governments considering additional measures against Chinese entities accused of supplying dual-use goods to Russia, Beijing’s humanitarian action complicates the diplomatic situation.

For Washington, however, the Munich framework was straightforward: China has the economic and technological influence to change Russia’s calculations.