U.S. intelligence leaders emphasized the critical situation in Ukraine during a recent Senate hearing, highlighting the urgent need for continued U.S. military support. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director William Burns underscored that while Ukrainians remain steadfast, they are running low on ammunition, requiring immediate assistance.
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"The Ukrainians are not running out of courage and tenacity, they're running out of ammunition,” Burns told lawmakers. “And we're running out of time to help them."
Intelligence officials highlighted the complexity of Russia's relationships with China, Iran, and North Korea, emphasizing the impact on its defense capabilities and economy.
China is providing economic and security assistance to Russia’s war in Ukraine through support to Russia’s defense industrial base, including by providing dual-use material and components for weapons, the intelligence agencies said in their 2024 Annual Threat Assessment. According to the report, trade between China and Russia has been increasing since the start of the war in Ukraine, and China’s exports of goods with potential military use rose more than threefold since 2022.
The Intelligence agencies also warned that China could use technology to try to influence this year's U.S. presidential elections.
The Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines pointed out that Chinese leaders believe projecting power globally is essential to resist U.S. pressure. However, she also noted that President Xi Jinping's focus on boosting China's economy may deter any election interference, which could damage China's ability to attract foreign investment.
“Not only is that going to feed doubts amongst our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, it's going to stoke the ambition of Chinese leadership,” the director of National Intelligence said.
Avril Haines also emphasized that President Putin's strategic objectives have remained consistent. She stated, "He continues to perceive NATO expansion and Western backing of Ukraine as efforts to curb Russian influence and undermine his authority."
People's Republic of China and Georgia established a strategic partnership in July of 2023, which was followed in a few months by the Georgian government's decision to lift the visa regime for Chinese tourists. On February 26, 2024, the Prime Minister of Georgia, Irakli Kobakhidze announced that China has granted visa-free travel to Georgian citizens. According to Kobakhidze, deepening strategic partnership both with China and America is very important for Georgia.
In 2022 China was the largest export partner of Georgia with 736.8 million US dollars. It is followed by Azerbaijan (US$672.6 million) and Russia (US$651.6 million). Then comes Armenia (584.5 million USD), Turkey (435.4 million USD), Bulgaria (423.6 million USD), USA (265 million USD), Kazakhstan (238.1 million USD), Ukraine (232 million USD), and Peru (153.8 million USD). In the same period, among the largest import partners, China ranks third (US$ 1,126.0 million) after Turkey (US$ 2,370.9 million) and Russia (US$ 1,835.4 million).
The largest projects in Georgia, especially in the construction of highways, railways, and tunnels, are carried out by China.
