US officials say Russia asked China for military and economic support for war in Ukraine, reports say

The New York Times reported on Sunday that US officials said Russia asked China for military assistance and economic aid to counteract sanctions.

The Washington Post, CNN, and Fox News all reported the news. The Times and The Post reported that the US officials wouldn't release any more information about the types of weapons Russia requested.

The Chinese Embassy did not respond immediately to Insider, but their spokesman told CNN that he had never heard of Russia requesting help from China.

China is very concerned about the situation in Ukraine. Pengyu told CNN that they hope that the situation will ease and that peace will return at an early date.

Russia was hit with sanctions from the West after it invaded Ukraine. The US, UK, and European Union imposed sanctions on Russia, as well as Russian officials and businesses.

The friendship between Russia and China has no limits, despite the fact that the US and China are at odds with each other.

Russian forces have been able to hold off the invasion of much of the country but military assistance from China could be a major boon. Military support and weapons from western allies have been given to Ukraine.

The US Senate last week approved $13.6 billion in emergency humanitarian and military aid for Ukraine, and the White House on Saturday approved $200 million in weapons to be delivered to that country.

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Adviser, told Dana Bash on Sunday that the administration is concerned about the possibility of China helping Russia. He said there was a chance that China knew Russia was planning something before the invasion.

We are watching closely to see if China provides any form of support, material support or economic support to Russia. It's a concern of ours. Sullivan said that they have communicated to Beijing that they will not allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions.

Sullivan said that the administration told China that there would be consequences if there were efforts to help Russia. He didn't say if the US would impose sanctions on China if it helped Russia.

The White House did not reply immediately.