China Denies Aiding Russia in Sanctions Avoidance

The European Union says China, including Hong Kong, is responsible for "approximately" 80 percent of the circumventions of sanctions against Russia even though Beijing continues to deny it. According to a classified report by the German Foreign Ministry, seen by German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the state television networks NDR and WDR, EU sanctions commissioner David O'Sullivan told a meeting in Brussels earlier this month that, while sanctions have a significant impact on Russia's economy, difficulties continue. The media outlets said…