Olaf Scholz to Discuss Dual-Use Goods with Xi Jinping at G20 Summit Amid Reports of Chinese Factory Producing Military Drones for Russia
In a recent development, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz revealed plans to address the delivery of dual-use goods with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming G20 summit. This comes in light of reports indicating that a Chinese factory is manufacturing military drones for Russia.
Sources from a European intelligence agency disclosed that Russia has initiated a weapons program in China specifically aimed at developing long-range attack drones for deployment in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The European Union has been vocal in urging all nations, including China, to refrain from providing any form of support to Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized that any assistance from China in the form of drones would have serious consequences. Chancellor Scholz echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of addressing the issue of dual-use goods in discussions with Xi Jinping.
Furthermore, Scholz expressed concern over the deployment of North Korean soldiers in the conflict in Ukraine, describing it as a “terrible change.” When questioned about the U.S. decision to authorize long-range Ukrainian airstrikes on Russia, Scholz clarified that Germany would not take similar action or provide Ukraine with long-range Taurus cruise missiles.
Scholz highlighted the need for caution in deploying powerful weapons, emphasizing that Germany must not become directly involved in the conflict. Despite this, he acknowledged an exception for Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, citing attacks originating from the nearby Russian border.
In conclusion, the discussions at the G20 summit hold significant implications for international relations and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. It is crucial for world leaders to address the issue of dual-use goods and ensure that support is not provided to parties engaged in acts of aggression. The decisions made in these discussions can have far-reaching consequences for global stability and security.