Russia, Ukraine won’t get our arms, China says

China will not supply weapons to Ukraine or Russia, its foreign minister promised on Friday as leaked US classified documents suggested Beijing’s tentative approval of arms transfer to Moscow.

At a joint press conference with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, Qin Gang said that China woud not sell weapons to any of the parties to the war, Associated Press reports.

"Regarding the export of military items, China adopts a prudent and responsible attitude. China will not provide weapons to relevant parties of the conflict, and manage and control the exports of dual-use items in accordance with laws and regulations," China’s diplomat was quoted as saying..

He added that Beijing would regulate the export of dual-use civilian and military goods.

Qin Gang is the first Chinese high-ranking official to make such a frank statement about arms supplies, AP notes.

The Chinese foreign minister also assured that Beijing was ready to "help find a peaceful resolution to the conflict."

Earlier, the Washington Post reported that leaked US classified documents mentioned a tentative agreement by China to provide Russia with lethal weapons, in a first since Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The US and other Western states have repeatedly warned Beijing of the consequences of lethal assistance to Moscow.