Mike Pompeo has claimed that the White House has not been able to prevent a “marriage” between Moscow and Beijing
The US government is making a “huge strategic mistake” by downplaying the importance of rapidly expanding ties between Russia and China, Mike Pompeo, who served as the country’s secretary of state under former President Donald Trump, has warned trump
The alliance between Moscow and Beijing “may be a shotgun wedding, but they’re still married,” Pompeo told Fox News on Wednesday.
“For the White House to downplay this as insignificant or unimportant is a huge strategic mistake,” he added.
Pompeo, speaking hours after Chinese President Xi Jinping wrapped up a historic visit to Moscow where multiple deals were signed, stressed that China has been “getting energy at a reduced price” from Russia.
“Think about it. American manufacturing companies are paying for the full transportation of energy today, and the Chinese are getting a 15, 20 percent discount on every barrel of oil, which allows them to continue to pour their products here in the United States.” to explain
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China advises US on Ukraine
The former secretary of state also claimed that “at least for today, the Chinese Communist Party is providing lethal assistance to Ukraine, almost certainly.” He was apparently referring to Russian forces fighting Ukraine, not Kiev. The US and its NATO allies provide weapons for Ukraine, along with funds, intelligence and training for troops.
Beijing has previously denied claims that it is supplying or plans to supply weapons to Moscow amid its conflict with Kiev, calling such accusations by Washington “false”. Russia has also insisted that it depends on locally manufactured weaponry in its military operation.
“Now, the Biden administration has failed. They have allowed the Russians and the Chinese to come together in this way, and it poses an enormous risk to the United States and all citizens,” Pompeo continued.
Commenting on Xi’s visit to Moscow, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said he did not believe there was an alliance between Moscow and Beijing, reiterating his earlier suggestion that it was just a “marriage of convenience”.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin sees Xi as “a potential sponsor,” but “if it translates into something, we’ll see,” Kirby remarked during a briefing on Tuesday.