On Tuesday, China dismissed claims from the European Union’s top official that its military trained Russian personnel for combat in Ukraine.

China has maintained a stance of neutrality in Russia’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine. However, it has adopted the Kremlin’s narrative, attributing the conflict to NATO’s expansion. This position coincides with strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Moscow, including substantial purchases of Russian oil and gas, defying U.S.-led sanctions.

The United States, EU, and other Kyiv allies have accused Beijing of contributing to Russia’s war efforts by trading and exporting goods with dual purposes.

EU’s Allegation

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s representative for foreign affairs, criticized Beijing on Monday, pointing toward a more direct form of support. She asserted verified reports of Chinese military training Russian troops for the Ukraine conflict.

Kallas shared this claim after a meeting with the bloc’s 27 foreign ministers in Luxembourg, indicating ongoing assessments of the situation. While offering no details on the alleged training, Kallas labeled Beijing as a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s aggression, a term often used by Western authorities to describe China’s backing for Moscow.

China’s Foreign Ministry promptly refuted the accusation, citing a lack of evidence and describing it as baseless and defamatory remarks, according to spokesperson Lin Jian during a press session in Beijing.

Newsweek contacted both the Russian Foreign Ministry and the European External Action Service for comments.

Sanctions Reaction

Also on Monday, the European Council declared sanctions against 21 entities and seven individuals for supporting Russia’s military industry, including collaborators in other nations.

The sanctioned parties included Shenzhen Minghuaxin, a Chinese company supplying drone parts and technology to Russia, and Xinxiang Richful Lubricant Additive Company, a key producer of components for industrial machinery, crucial for manufacturing military equipment.

The sanctions followed another intense wave of Russian attacks on Ukraine. Russian forces reportedly fired 70 missiles and deployed 611 drones overnight, marking one of the largest aerial assaults during the war. The strikes led to at least 11 casualties across Ukraine, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. A cathedral and monastery suffered damage, fueling international outrage.

In retaliation, on Tuesday, Ukraine orchestrated a drone strike targeting the Moscow Oil Refinery, purportedly supplying 40% of Moscow’s petroleum needs.