Chinese drone company halts sales to Russia and Ukraine

Chinese drone maker DJI announced Wednesday (27 April) that it will stop all sales to both Russia and Ukraine. The company’s decision comes after they were accused by Ukraine of giving away military positions to Russia. DJI becomes the next big Chinese company to sever ties with Russia, indicating a split between economic and political ties as Beijing and Moscow continue to operate under their “no limits” relationship.

Last month, the Ukrainian vice prime minister wrote to the drone maker asking them “to stop doing business with the Russian Federation until the Russian aggression in Ukraine is fully stopped,” saying that Russia is “using DJI products in Ukraine in order to navigate their missile[s] to kill civilians”. At the time the company denied that their products were being used in a military capacity. They now say that they “are temporarily suspending sales in these countries in order to help ensure no one uses our drones in combat.” The firms' products have been used by both sides of the war to gain military advantages.

DJI has thus become one of the first big Chinese companies to publicly denounce the war and stop sales in Russia. The english version of their statement said, “DJI abhors any use of our drones to cause harm”, and that their decision was “not to make a statement about any country, but to make a statement about our principles". DJI has been accused of helping Chinese authorities surveil the minority Uyghur community and has been added to a US export blacklist. Nevertheless, the company has over half of the market share in commercial drones and receives large funding from US-based venture funds.

According to research by the Yale School of Management, the majority of Chinese companies are continuing operations in Russia as usual. However, as reported earlier, more firms are suspending operations or scaling back operations. Beijing has been reticent to condemn Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and has not deviated from its "no limits" partnership with the Kremlin. The political trend of closer ties and the economic trend of separation is illustrative of the Chinese government’s desire for its businesses to not get caught in the crossfire of Western sanctions while maintaining strong relations with Russia.

Sources: CommonSpace.eu with Reuters (London), the Financial Times (London), and other media agencies
Picture: DJI drone (Reuters)

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

US and Ukraine sign deal giving US access to country’s valuable mineral wealth

The United States and Ukraine have signed a minerals deal after a two-month delay, in what President Donald Trump's administration called a new form of US commitment to Kyiv after the end of military aid. Ukraine said it secured key interests after protracted negotiations, including full sovereignty over its own rare earths, which are vital for new technologies and largely untapped. Trump had initially demanded rights to Ukraine's mineral wealth as compensation for US weapons sent under former president Joe Biden after Russia invaded just over three years ago.