Blinken Criticizes North Korea, Iran, and China's Support for Russia Amid Ukraine Conflict

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken criticized North Korea, Iran, and China's support for Russia during its war in Ukraine, stating it harms their reputations. Speaking at an Aspen Strategy Group forum, Blinken highlighted the US's efforts with sanctions and international pressure against Russia, while calling out China's dual stance.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken has denounced North Korea, Iran, and China for their cooperation with Russia during its ongoing war in Ukraine, highlighting that such actions are damaging to their international reputations. "It's not particularly good for your reputation to be working closely with Russia and helping it perpetuate its war in Ukraine," Blinken remarked at a forum hosted by the Aspen Strategy Group on July 19.

The US has consistently raised concerns about the increasing military alignment between North Korea and Russia, as well as China's alleged support for Russia's defense industrial base. During a fireside chat moderated by NPR host, Blinken was questioned about the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Russia and whether they influenced Russian President Vladimir Putin's behavior.

Blinken asserted that the collective pressure from the US and other countries has significantly impacted Russia. He explained, "It means that everything that so many countries around the world can do easily, it's much harder for them to do. Everything that we can do cheaply, it's much more costly for them to do. And this has a growing, powerful weight on Russia's economy and on Russia's future."

Blinken noted that a combination of sanctions, export controls, and brain drain have imposed increasingly severe consequences on Russia. "However, Russia has found workarounds, particularly through its relationships with North Korea, Iran, and unfortunately, China, enabling them to sustain their defense industrial base and continue their aggression against Ukraine," he said.

Regarding China, Blinken pointed out that Beijing, unlike North Korea and Iran, does not provide weapons to Moscow but contributes significantly to Russia's defense industrial base. "Seventy percent of the machine tools that Russia is importing come from China. Ninety percent of the microelectronics come from China," Blinken detailed, noting these components are critical for producing missiles, tanks, and other weapons.

Blinken further mentioned that the US and other countries have sanctioned Chinese companies and criticized Beijing for its contradictory stance. "China can't have it both ways. It can't claim to support peace in Ukraine while simultaneously fueling Russia's war efforts. Nor can it seek better relations with Europe while posing the greatest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War," Blinken concluded.

(With inputs from agencies.)