German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned China against supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine with military equipment at a meeting of EU foreign ministers on Monday. Baerbock said supporters of Russia must understand that the Ukraine war concerns Europe's "core security interests" and for this reason backing Russia "must and will have consequences" for China.

Russia has established a weapons programme in China to develop and produce long-range attack drones for use in its war against Ukraine, two sources from a European intelligence agency told Reuters in a report published in September.

German media report that China may be producing drones for the Russian military. According to information from Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the European Union is investigating indications that Chinese drones are involved in the fighting in Ukraine.

The warning comes as the Czech foreign minister urges Europe to follow Donald Trump’s lead on China. The EU will press Beijing for answers over reports that a China-based company is producing military drones for use in Russia's war against Ukraine, a senior EU official said Friday.

Germany is starting to deliver 4,000 AI-controlled combat drones to Ukraine. The Mini-Tauruses can fly a distance of about 30 to 40 kilometres and will be "an important asset for the Ukrainian armed forces.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius disclosed to the media his desire to transfer to Ukraine 4,000 drones equipped with artificial intelligence, which are capable of hitting targets at great distances.

Germany is commencing the delivery of 4,000 AI-controlled combat drones to Ukraine. The Mini-Tauruses can fly a distance of about 30 to 40 kilometres and will be "an important asset for the Ukrainian armed forces.