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During a press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Chinese government would not allow the United States to use threats and blackmail tactics regarding trade relations with Russia.

On Wednesday, Peskov criticized US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s recent comments about imposing sanctions on China for allegedly increasing “dual-use” goods exports to Russia. Peskov condemned Washington’s stance as “blackmail” and said Russia would stand in solidarity with China. He added that such threats were unacceptable, particularly towards a “powerful nation” like China.

The controversy stems from Yellen’s warning that the US would not let China supply Russia with dual-use items—products that have both civilian and military applications. She indicated that these exports were boosting Russia’s defense capabilities amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken previously accused China of being a major supplier of critical materials like machine tools, microelectronics, and nitrocellulose, which are used in military production. Yellen reiterated these concerns, stating that a continued increase in such exports would lead to sanctions. She said, “I have been extremely clear at the highest levels of the Chinese government that this is something we will not tolerate, and that we intend to sanction this activity.” Despite these threats, Peskov said the United States “can hardly afford to speak in such a tone. Perhaps not everyone in America’s leadership has understood this at the moment, but over time they will understand it.”

This development comes as trade between Russia and China has significantly increased since the start of the war in Ukraine. In 2023, trade between the two nations reached a record high of $240.1 billion. Both nations have also dismissed US allegations of China assisting Russia’s war effort, labeling them as “western propaganda” and “lies.”