Germany's Foreign Ministry summoned China's ambassador to Berlin on Thursday after intelligence reports emerged indicating that the Chinese military was secretly training Russian soldiers.
The move came after media reports, based on European intelligence documents, alleged that hundreds of Russian soldiers were secretly trained by the Chinese military, with some even being deployed to conflict zones in Ukraine.
In a statement on what it described as 'extremely worrying' claims, the German Foreign Ministry stressed that any support for Russia's war against Ukraine poses a direct threat to German and European national security.
A ministry spokesperson said, 'Anything that enables Russia to continue its aggressive war against Ukraine is a threat to our security,' and noted that the alleged support from Chinese government and military units to Moscow directly affects the continent's stability.
While China's embassy in Berlin has not yet issued a direct statement on the latest summons, Beijing has previously dismissed similar claims as 'baseless.'
Meanwhile, two European officials disclosed that the covert military training China provided to Russian forces last year was carried out with the personal approval of Russia's defense minister and involved the direct participation of at least four generals.
The officials assessed that 'the involvement of high-level figures in training linked to the Ukraine war reflects the great importance this cooperation holds for Moscow and Beijing,' and said that despite Beijing's repeated denials, it has caused widespread concern in Europe.
