China’s ministry of defense on Thursday rejected claims that it had “prior knowledge” of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The comment came as several media reports stated that Beijing ignored warnings by the United States that Vladimir Putin would attack Kyiv.

China strongly disagrees and opposes these claims, which the United States made to “shirk responsibility and smear China”, the defense ministry said in a statement.

On Wednesday, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also accused China of giving political backing to Russia as it attacks Ukraine.

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“China has provided Russia with political support, including by spreading blatant lies and misinformation, and allies are concerned that China could provide material support for the Russian invasion,” Stoltenberg said ahead of the urgent NATO summit, which took place Thursday.

Putin had visited Beijing Beijing on February 4 and left for Moscow the same day, shortly after the evening Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics. The short visit to China which came just weeks ahead of the invasion gave rise to speculation in the later days on the real purpose of the trip.

Some reports speculated that the brief visit could have been aimed at getting China’s support for the upcoming military operation in Ukraine. 

Meanwhile, the Biden administration on Wednesday warned Beijing not to take advantage of business opportunities created by sanctions, help Moscow evade export controls or process its banned financial transactions.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that G7 countries would soon announce a unified response to make sure Russia cannot evade Western sanctions imposed over its invasion of Ukraine with the help of China or any other country.

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A New York Times report earlier this month cited US officials claiming that Russia asked China to give it military equipment and support for the war in Ukraine. 

Russia has also asked China for additional economic assistance amid the sanctions imposed by several countries.