French president Emmanuel Macron’s top diplomatic adviser has said China was delivering items that could be used as military equipment to Russia, although not on a massive scale.

Reuters reports on events last night at the Aspen Security Forum when Emmanuel Bonne, the head of Macron’s diplomatic team at the Elysee Palace was asked if the west had seen any evidence that China has armed Russia. He said:

"Yes, there are indications that they are doing things we would prefer them not to do ... As far as we know they are not delivering massively [sic] military capacities to Russia but [we need that to be] no delivery.

What we need most is Chinese abstention. We need them to understand that Ukraine is a conflict of global magnitude and that we cannot afford Ukraine to lose for reasons of principle, but also for reasons which are very operational."

Bonne was asked what things China shouldn’t do. “The delivery of weapons certainly, economic support,” he said. French officials told CNN that Bonne was referencing both dual-use technologies and non-lethal assistance, such as helmets and body armour.

China has repeatedly denied sending military equipment to Russia since Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, it has a “no limits” partnership with Russia announced just before the commencement of hostilities.