Noah Barkin
@noahbarkin.bsky.social
📤 9251
📥 720
📝 2327
Watching 🇪🇺 🇨🇳 🇺🇸 from Berlin. Try my newsletter: noahbarkin.substack.com
Dark day for Celtics fans. Speechless
about 2 hours ago
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reposted by
Noah Barkin
Finbarr Bermingham
1 day ago
China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to 2 European officials & documents seen by Reuters
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EXCLUSIVE: Russia approved secret China military training at top level, sources say
China's covert military training of Russian forces last year was personally approved by President Vladimir Putin's defence minister and directly involved at least four Russian and Chinese generals, according to two European officials and documents seen by Reuters.
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/russia-approved-secret-china-military-training-top-level-sources-say-2026-07-01/
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AfD leader Alice Weidel: “Cheap energy from Russia was the secret of the success of ‘Made in Germany’. We need it back”
www.reuters.com/world/afd-le...
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AfD leader vows to restore German-Russian ties as she eyes chancellery
Germany should end a boycott of Russian oil and gas to bolster its flagging economy, the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany, Alice Weidel, told Reuters as she outlined the party's ambiti...
https://www.reuters.com/world/afd-leader-vows-restore-german-russian-ties-she-eyes-chancellery-2026-06-30/
2 days ago
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Europe has a competitiveness problem. It has an energy price problem. And it has a China problem. But if Europe did everything it could to address the first two problems, it would still struggle to compete with China. This is what this article gets wrong
economist.com/leaders/2026...
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Global imbalances have little to do with Europe’s industrial woes
The EU has forgotten that it, like China, is a surplus economy
https://economist.com/leaders/2026/06/25/global-imbalances-have-little-to-do-with-europes-industrial-woes?giftId=NWVjMzZkYmItMjg2Yy00NDM3LTk0NGEtNGQ2YjVhMmU0ZGNm&utm_campaign=gifted_article
3 days ago
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Sefcovic: "China's exports to the EU keep rising, while our market share in China keeps shrinking. This trend is not sustainable. The status quo is not an option." Sefcovic statement:
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
Joint press statement:
ec.europa.eu/commission/p...
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Remarks by Commissioner Šef\u010Dovi\u010D at EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations Press Point
Good afternoon.\nToday, I have the opportunity to host my counterpart from China, Minister Wang Wentao. We held a series of substantive talks as of this morning and will continue later today.\nThis is...
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/speech_26_1344
3 days ago
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Some comments for the
@nzz.ch
on Europe's de-risking challenge with China
www.nzz.ch/internationa...
3 days ago
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German Economy Minister Reiche appears to have swooped into Brussels to meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao before his meeting today with EU Trade Commissioner Sefcovic. Her statement strikes a very different tone than what we've been hearing from Merz.
www.linkedin.com/posts/noahba...
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Bundesministerin Reiche trifft chinesischen Handelsminister Wang | Noah Barkin
German Economy Minister Katherina Reiche appears to have swooped in to Brussels to meet with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Sunday, before his meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic. At l...
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/noahbarkin_german-economy-minister-katherina-reiche-share-7477307068702441472-n-AK/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAADUu54BJeARl1bQZrcINPYJRNSIoUEo714
3 days ago
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The premier of Lower Saxony, VW's largest shareholder, is back with more calls for the company to produce cars in Germany that it currently produces in China. He doesn't seem to understand what is happening - a deliberate, wholesale transfer of German jobs to China
www.reuters.com/world/china/...
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Key Volkswagen shareholder pitches producing China car models in Germany
VW is considering closing four German factories and cutting up to 100,000 jobs.
https://www.reuters.com/world/china/key-volkswagen-shareholder-pitches-producing-china-car-models-germany-2026-06-28/
3 days ago
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“No one in Israel is suggesting a pivot to China or Russia quite yet”
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/w...
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Israelis See Their Friendship With the U.S. Slipping Away
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/27/world/middleeast/israel-new-york-iran-war-mamdani.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
3 days ago
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Charles Michel was an embarrassment when he headed the European Council and he has managed to turn himself into an even bigger embarrassment since leaving Brussels. Add
#michel
to the long list
#schroeder
#blair
#zapatero
#raffarin
…
www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/26/...
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Decoupling 'not a serious option': former European Council chief
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202606/26/WS6a3e6fc7a310986e2b4622ad.html
4 days ago
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There is a paradox in German memory culture: while most Germans know a lot about the general history of the Nazi era … we tend to know less about our own family stories. Most of us never quite found the time or the inclination to start digging around …
www.ft.com/content/2229...
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The Nazi files shedding new light on family secrets
Party membership records are now searchable online. But, as many Germans are finding out, the archive poses more questions than it answers
https://www.ft.com/content/22295531-bf83-4ba9-9c34-d5f04a73ca9e?shareType=nongift
4 days ago
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reposted by
Noah Barkin
David Higham
5 days ago
Extraordinary detail in the new book on Trump's second term administration
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Just coming to this remarkable story: Tulsi Gabbard, until recently the Director of National Intelligence in the Trump administration, has been receiving and obeying political directives for years from a reclusive Hawaii-based cult leader. This is not a joke
www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/06/21/tulsi-gabbard-her-guru-mysterious-messages-that-helped-shape-her-political-career/
5 days ago
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The EU has shown a “distinct lack of sincerity” in trade talks over the past weeks with China, a source tells the Global Times
www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/...
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https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202606/1364526.shtml
6 days ago
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This is massive. The kind of announcement that is likely to accelerate the German “tipping point” on China
www.ft.com/content/d076...
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Volkswagen to axe up to 100,000 jobs in sweeping cost-cutting drive
Restructuring follows blockbuster sale of marine engines unit to US private equity firm Bain
https://www.ft.com/content/d0760eaf-d345-4964-b2ae-f55f6dfd9a4a?shareType=nongift
6 days ago
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The Art of the War in 6 steps… 1. Blunder into war without a plan 2. Deplete arms needed to fight wars that matter 3. Declare victory when all signs point to defeat 4. Botch peace deal 5. Pressure Congress to fund war you said you won 6. Try to rebuild arms on fly
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/u...
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U.S. Military’s Weapons Shortage Shows Few Signs of Easing Soon
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/25/us/politics/us-military-weapons-shortage.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
6 days ago
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Some comments for
@asia.nikkei.com
on EU plans for tougher trade measures against China
asia.nikkei.com/economy/trad...
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Chinese firms brace for new EU rules as trade deficit tops $1bn a day
Bloc leaders ready diversification tool but still split on how hard to push Beijing
https://asia.nikkei.com/economy/trade/chinese-firms-brace-for-new-eu-rules-as-trade-deficit-tops-1bn-a-day
6 days ago
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A revealing headline from the NYT … revealing about the NYT
add a skeleton here at some point
7 days ago
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New Merz quotes on China from an exchange in the Bundestag today. The tone is getting sharper
substack.com/profile/2516...
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Noah Barkin (@noahbarkin)
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz answered questions in the German parliament today and there were several on China, including on trade and the role of Chinese suppliers in Germany's telecommunications...
https://substack.com/profile/251635-noah-barkin/note/c-281906594?r=5e5v&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web
8 days ago
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The more competent & decorated you are, the bigger the the threat you pose to Pete Hegseth. The latest casualty: CD Donahue, a widely respected special forces veteran who served in Iraq/Syria/Afghanistan and has been critical to US efforts to help Ukraine fight Russia
www.ft.com/content/b293...
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US defence secretary Pete Hegseth forces out top army officer in Europe
General CD Donahue will announce his retirement on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter
https://www.ft.com/content/b2936511-6549-4a93-9c9f-b6dc3cd165a0?shareType=nongift
8 days ago
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EU leaders have asked the Commission to engage with Beijing. This is what they will hear when they do.
www.ft.com/content/ecf2...
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China’s premier says competitiveness not down to subsidies
Li Qiang dismisses trading partners’ complaints at World Economic Forum’s ‘Summer Davos’ event
https://www.ft.com/content/ecf29df6-6838-4046-80a6-8cb676cfad91?shareType=nongift
8 days ago
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The world hates the US
www.pewresearch.org/global/2026/...
8 days ago
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Days after EU leaders came together in Brussels to discuss a major shift in China policy, Chancellor Friedrich Merz gives a 25 minute speech at the biggest industry conference of the year and doesn't mention China once
9 days ago
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The Republicans in the House Foreign Affairs Committee don’t seem to know how to spell Colombia
9 days ago
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Up next: safeguards on foie gras
www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...
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As China gorges on homegrown foie gras, France faces a new rival
Once a high-end delicacy, it's now a popular affordable product.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-gorges-homegrown-foie-gras-france-faces-new-rival-2026-06-19/
10 days ago
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Belgium PM De Wever showing Spanish PM Sanchez what he thinks of his China policy
11 days ago
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“It is the single worst — and there’s a lot of competition for it — American national security mess that I’ve ever seen”
www.ft.com/content/3be5...
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Rahm Emanuel says Trump ‘got schooled’ by Iran in bad ceasefire deal
Possible Democratic presidential candidate describes war as historic ‘American national security mess’
https://www.ft.com/content/3be5a96f-f22e-4b8e-898f-fe10c2f84058?shareType=nongift
11 days ago
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Trump humiliates Meloni again, triggering a fierce response from the Italian PM and the cancellation of her foreign minister’s trip to Washington. She was supposed to be Europe’s Trump whisperer.
www.politico.eu/article/ital...
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Italy’s Meloni fires back after Trump says she ‘begged’ him for a photo
The president’s attack contradicts the prime minister’s recent insistence that their relationship is as good as ever.
https://www.politico.eu/article/italys-giorgia-meloni-fires-back-after-donald-trump-says-she-begged-him-for-a-photo/
12 days ago
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reposted by
Noah Barkin
Susan Glasser
12 days ago
Trump is strikingly unpopular at both ends of the economic spectrum (via @wsj)
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Important story: the German government funnels tens of millions of euros per year to the CISPA research center in Saarland which works closely with Chinese researchers from PLA-linked institutions on sensitive cybersecurity issues. Merz himself seems to approve👇🏼
www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deut...
12 days ago
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Merz says Europe cannot accept when fair competition is distorted by high subsidies across entire sectors which flood other markets. He points to imbalance between Chinese demand and production. And on top of that an undervalued currency.
13 days ago
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Merz says the European Commission will present plans for new trade instruments at the next European Council in October. He repeats concerns about China's currency being undervalued by up to 30 percent, and points to Plaza Accords as model for dealing with this.
13 days ago
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Reporting all over the place on what EU leaders agreed at their China dinner but following seems clear: - No mandate to impose immediate robust trade defense measures - Nod to eventually complement toolbox with new instruments - A push to engage with Beijing Overall it seems leaders blinked
13 days ago
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EU leaders do not appear to have given the Commission a robust mandate to hit back at China, despite combative rhetoric in the lead-up to their dinner in Brussels. Spain opposed any new measures and Merz was more circumspect during the debate, the FT reports
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
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EU delays trade confrontation with China
Leaders opt for dialogue with Beijing rather than immediate action over fears of retaliation
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/ba90d8b4-18d0-4efa-8138-e62bf5a2148c
13 days ago
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reposted by
Noah Barkin
Finbarr Bermingham
13 days ago
💥 European Council finished at 1.20am - leaders spent 2 hours discussing China Looks like they gave the commission guidance to produce new trade tools Via an EU official - leaders asked the commission with two tasks vis-à-vis China
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Sanchez calls China a “potential ally” days after the EU confirmed reports that China has been training Russian military officers for the battlefield in Ukraine.
add a skeleton here at some point
14 days ago
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Bernd Lange: “China is pursuing an aggressive, hegemonic industrial policy with the clear goal of dominating the global market for industrial goods”
bernd-lange.de/uploads/bern...
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https://bernd-lange.de/uploads/bernd_lange/10-points-for-the-European-position-on-China.pdf
14 days ago
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Germany's Bosch to pay US $36 million for shipping sensors and software to China's Huawei between 2020-24 without a license
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga...
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Germany's Bosch to pay U.S. $36 million for shipments to China's Huawei
German technology company Robert Bosch agreed to pay $36 million to U.S. authorities for shipping over $70 million worth of sensor products and software for cell phones to China's Huawei, the U.S. C...
https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/germanys-bosch-pay-us-36-million-shipments-chinas-huawei-2026-06-17/
14 days ago
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He who must not be named 🤫
add a skeleton here at some point
14 days ago
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“This is as close as we have come in years to a make-or-break moment for European China policy" My comments to
@fbermingham.bsky.social
on what could be a historic day in the relationship between Europe and China
www.scmp.com/news/china/d...
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EU hits ‘make-or-break moment’ as divided leaders confront ‘China shock 2.0’
EU member states poised to confront internal divisions and launch aggressive trade defences against systemic threat posed by Beijing.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3357388/climate-change-trade-battlelines-drawn-europes-new-china-strategy?module=flexi_unit-focus&pgtype=homepage
14 days ago
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There are profit warnings, and then there are existential howls
www.ft.com/content/2c03...
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BMW sounds the alarm as China squeezes Europe’s carmakers
Chinese manufacturers have grown their market share in Europe while gaining share at home
https://www.ft.com/content/2c035597-67d0-4f70-8f0d-caf9312101be?shareType=nongift
14 days ago
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The EU "swarm" strategy in action 👇
add a skeleton here at some point
15 days ago
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Smart piece from
@ajwsmall.bsky.social
@ecfr.eu
on how the EU can respond to China with "swarm" strategy built around 6 conditions for market access
ecfr.eu/publication/...
15 days ago
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Germany is backing new instruments. The question is whether it will support short-term measures like safeguards as new tools may take 1-2 years to put in place. This is where the big divide seems to be
www.ft.com/content/06b7...
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Germany backs French push for US-style tariffs and quotas
Proposal would allow European Commission to move faster in shielding industries from Chinese import glut
https://www.ft.com/content/06b7fe04-25f7-445b-824a-135ae73596a5?syn-25a6b1a6=1
15 days ago
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The G7 eyes binding critical mineral diversification quotas for the defense industry. The EU wants to broaden this out to all critical inputs in a new "diversification instrument" that could be discussed tomorrow at the European Council.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
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G7 Aims to Ensure China Supplies No More Than 60% of Rare Earths
The Group of Seven countries have agreed that no single country should supply more than 60% of their imports of critical minerals by 2030 in a effort to reduce their reliance on China, according to pe...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-06-17/g7-aims-to-ensure-china-supplies-no-more-than-60-of-rare-earths
15 days ago
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A real sign of weakness
www.elysee.fr/en/G7evian/2...
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G7 leaders' statement on geopolitical issues. | 2026 G7 SUMM
Read the statement.
https://www.elysee.fr/en/G7evian/2026/06/17/g7-leaders-statement-on-geopolitical-issues
15 days ago
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Full submission
@alanbeattie.bsky.social
?
giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
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If Brussels starts a trade war, Beijing will finish it
Wargaming the EU-China conflict warns Europe against aggression towards an opponent with superior firepower
https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/19e8f452-6207-41cd-b5c0-d38d62428607
16 days ago
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Important story: the US push for a plurilateral agreement on critical minerals is faltering amid tensions over who would pay a premium for minerals, how far down the supply chain those subsidies should go and how governance would work.
www.reuters.com/world/americ...
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Trump's critical minerals pricing plan faces skeptical G7, divided industry
Artificially low prices for cobalt, lithium, nickel and other minerals have made it harder for Western mining rivals to compete.
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/trumps-critical-minerals-pricing-plan-faces-skeptical-g7-divided-industry-2026-06-15/
16 days ago
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Kallas says China has been training Russian forces to fight in Ukraine
@fbermingham.bsky.social
www.scmp.com/news/world/e...
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EU says China trained Russian troops as bloc weighs tougher stance on Beijing
Kallas cites verified reports of Chinese training for Russian forces as Brussels weighs sanctions and new trade measures.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3357208/eu-says-china-trained-russian-troops-bloc-weighs-tougher-stance-beijing
16 days ago
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reposted by
Noah Barkin
Finbarr Bermingham
17 days ago
Breaking news: EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas says the EU has "now verified reports that the Chinese military has been training Russian military personnel to fight in Ukraine" Speaking after a meeting of EU foreign ministers - "we are carefully assessing the implications"
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