Getty ImagesVolodymyr Zelensky said "China is still actively helping Russia drag out this war"The United States has sanctioned two Chinese companies it says are involved in the production of aerial drones used by Russia in its war in Ukraine.
In a statement, the US Treasury said it was also targeting a Russian company and its owner, Artem Yamshchikov, who it said serve as an intermediary between the firms and a Russian state-owned weapons company.
The move means their property and interests within US control have been seized.
It came as Volodymyr Zelensky outlined his "victory plan" in a speech to the EU Council – in which he said Ukraine had intelligence that "China is still actively helping Russia drag out this war".
The US Treasury said it had sanctioned Xiamen Limbach Aircraft Engine Co – which makes engines that power Russia's Garpiya long-range drones – and Redlepus Vector Industry Shenzhen Co for its involvement in shipment.
US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said the so-called suicide drones had "been used to destroy critical infrastructure and has resulted in mass casualties".
Thousands of them have been produced since last year, according to the Reuters news agency.
"Russia increasingly relies on the expertise of foreign professionals and the import of sophisticated technologies to sustain its weapons program," US Treasury official Bradley Smith said.
Speaking to the EU Council on Thursday, the Ukrainian president also accused North Korea and Iran of aiding Russia's war effort.
"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin wants to match your countries’ ammunition production by next year," he told European leaders.
"Please don't ease the pressure of sanctions on Russia – it truly helps."
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