Brussels is raising its tone in the face of Sino-Russian rapprochement. The head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas declared, Monday June 15, that she had verified information according to which “the Chinese army has trained Russian military personnel to fight in Ukraine”. She added: “We are carefully assessing the implications.” The European Union believes that China “remains a decisive supporter of the war led by Russia in Ukraine.” This cooperation confirms the concerns of the European Union, while a European official already warned, on June 12, about the training of Russian soldiers in China.
Beijing contested these declarations this Tuesday, June 16. Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian told a press briefing that “these allegations are devoid of any factual basis. It is pure and simple slander and denigration.”
Training of hundreds of Russian soldiers
The accusations of the head of European diplomacy are based in particular on information revealed by Reuters on May 19. Three intelligence services from the Old Continent notably reveal the existence of a bilateral agreement signed in Beijing on July 2, 2025 between China and Russia. This provides for the reciprocal training of hundreds of Russian and Chinese soldiers.
The agreement provides for 200 soldiers to be trained by China before their deployment to Ukraine. They are trained in military installations located in particular in Beijing and in the eastern city of Nanjing. Training includes mastery of areas such as drones, electronic warfare, aviation and armored infantry. Specifically, soldiers learn to master mortars, electronic rifles and explosives technology. Multimedia presentations on drones and flight simulators also represent a central aspect of the training. This training focuses on skills that have become essential in the war in Ukraine, where drones have established themselves as a key element of military operations.
This training could have a multiplier effect. Russian soldiers trained in China would be responsible for transmitting these skills to the rest of the Russian chain of command, allowing the dissemination of the techniques learned.
A long-standing rapprochement
Beijing denies it, but its rapprochement with Moscow has been real for several years. According to Reuters, in April 2024, China would have supplied Russia with components that could be used to make weapons. US officials also say China has provided Russia with drone and missile technology, satellite imagery and machine tools. This support would help strengthen Moscow’s military capabilities in the conflict. The EU also criticizes China for supporting the Russian economy by remaining a major buyer of Russian oil and gas. Brussels therefore accuses Beijing of indirectly supporting the Russian war effort. However, China has always maintained a position of neutrality since the start of the conflict.
“Regarding the Ukrainian crisis, China has always maintained an objective and impartial position and worked towards peace negotiations. This position is consistent, clear and recognized by the international community,” the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in a statement to Reuters on May 19.
For several years, the European Union has observed with concern the strengthening of ties between Beijing and Moscow. A major trading partner of the EU, China is accused of supplying Russia with dual-use goods and technologies likely to support its defense industry. The revelation of the training of Russian soldiers in China thus reinforces these concerns.
/2026/06/17/6a32ad9acbdab613823881.jpg "Iranian tankers breached US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the start of the Middle East war")
