The German Foreign Ministry summoned China's ambassador to Berlin to the ministry on Thursday following the emergence of intelligence reports that the Chinese military was secretly training Russian soldiers.
The move came after the publication of press reports, based on European intelligence documents, alleging that hundreds of Russian soldiers were secretly trained by the Chinese military and that some were even deployed to conflict zones in Ukraine.
In a statement on the allegations, which it described as "extremely alarming," 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 provided by Chinese government and military entities to Moscow directly affects the continent's stability.
While no direct statement has yet come from the Chinese Embassy in Berlin regarding the latest summons, Beijing has previously dismissed similar allegations as "baseless."
Meanwhile, two European officials had disclosed that the covert military training China provided to Russian forces last year took place with the personal approval of the Russian 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 noted that despite Beijing's repeated denials, it has caused widespread concern in Europe.
