China asked Russia to delay the invasion until after Winter Games via reports but China denies
According to a Western intelligence report, senior Chinese officials requested that Russia not invade Ukraine before the end of the Beijing Winter Olympics in early February. This is reported by various American media, including The New York Times. The report cites, among others, US government officials and a European official.
The report indicates that senior Chinese officials had some knowledge of Russia’s war plans or intentions before the invasion began last week, The New York Times reported. The information about the exchange between the Chinese and Russian officials was secret.
The paper said they were collected by “a Western intelligence agency” and deemed credible by the officials reviewing the information.
In Western government circles, the findings in the report were shared in the context of discussions about a possible Russian attack on Ukraine, according to The New York Times.
Nevertheless, different intelligence agencies had different interpretations, and it is also not clear how “widely” the findings were shared, the paper said. To get the latest stories, install our app here.
“downright despicable”
Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reacted disapprovingly to all the allegations. “These types of diversion that shift the blame are downright despicable,” said a spokesman.
Russia invaded Ukraine last week, four days before the closing ceremony of the Games. Before that, Beijing rejected Western warnings and described them as American hype. To get the latest stories, install our app here.
