China expressed its firm opposition on Thursday to recent American sanctions targeting the Russian oil sector, stating that these measures are “unilateral and not based on international law.” During a regular press briefing, Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated: “China consistently opposes unilateral sanctions that are not authorized by the United Nations Security Council.”
The American sanctions were announced on Wednesday by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and target the Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, accused of “financing the Kremlin’s war machine.” These measures come as US President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Vladimir Putin, regretting that their discussions “lead to nothing.” Meanwhile, the European Union has tightened its sanctions against Russian hydrocarbons and targeted 12 Chinese companies accused of helping Russia bypass Western restrictions, particularly in drone production. Guo Jiakun denounced these measures, emphasizing that “the majority of countries, including European ones, maintain commercial relations with Russia” and that Europe has “no right to make inappropriate remarks about normal exchanges between Chinese and Russian companies.”
While China regularly calls for dialogue and respect for territorial integrity, including in Ukraine, it has never condemned the Russian invasion. Beijing is accused by Western capitals of providing crucial economic support to Moscow’s war effort. “We urge the EU to stop making China a controversial issue,” Guo Jiakun concluded, reaffirming Beijing’s position on the conflict.
