British Defense Minister Grant Shapps accuses China of providing 'lethal aid' to Russia for the Ukraine conflict, citing evidence of collaboration on combat equipment.

Western officials, particularly in the U.S., are concerned and have sanctioned Chinese entities for supplying dual-use manufacturing equipment to Russia.

Shapps calls for increased NATO defense spending and the inclusion of neutral European states in the alliance.

The situation underscores a growing axis of authoritarian states, including Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, escalating global conflicts and tensions.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov offers additional troops to support Russia, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requests upgraded defense systems against Russian guided bombs.

G7 finance ministers meet in Italy to address Chinese involvement, impose sanctions on Russia, and support Ukraine.

Recent strikes in Russia and eastern Ukraine have resulted in three deaths, maintaining tension in Belgorod and Kharkiv.

The upcoming G7 summit in mid-June in the Pouilles region will further address these complex global defense dynamics.