China will incur "real costs," according to the US, if it aids Russia in using lethal force against Ukraine.

On Sunday, US national security adviser Jake Sullivan warned China there would be "real costs" if it continued to give Russia deadly assistance in its war on Ukraine.

From our vantage point, this war actually poses significant challenges for Beijing. Beijing will also have to decide for itself how to proceed and whether to offer military support. But if it takes that turn, China will pay a price for it. And I believe that is something the leaders of China are considering as they decide, Sullivan told CNN's Dana Bash on "State of the Union."

He went on to say that the US "is not just making direct threats" in diplomatic discussions with China. We're simply outlining the risks involved, the repercussions, and the course of events. And we are doing that specifically and openly in a private setting.
Sullivan's remarks are made at a pivotal time in the conflict in Ukraine. According to three sources familiar with the intelligence, the US has information that the Chinese government is considering giving Russia ammunition and drones for use in the conflict.

According to the sources, Beijing does not appear to have made a final decision just yet because talks between China and Russia regarding the equipment's price and range are still ongoing.

Russia has repeatedly asked China for drones and ammunition since occupying Ukraine, according to sources familiar with the intelligence, and Chinese leadership has been actively debating whether or not to send the lethal aid over the past few months, the sources added.

When asked if the US could continue supporting Ukraine at current levels a year from now, Sullivan responded on Sunday, "I can level with the American people in saying that war is unpredictable." "A year ago, everyone was preparing for Kiev to fall in a matter of days. Joe Biden was in Kyiv with President Zelensky a year later, stating that "Kyiv stands."

So, neither I nor anyone else can foresee the future. Furthermore, anyone who asserts that they can determine for you how and when this war will end is not being honest with the American people or anyone else, he said.

Sullivan also reaffirmed Biden's assertion from Friday that the administration was "for now" foregoing sending F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.

Tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers, artillery, and tactical air defense systems are needed for this stage of the conflict so that Ukrainian fighters can retake territory currently held by Russia, according to Sullivan. "The question of F-16s is one for another time."

Michael McCaul, the chairman of the House's foreign affairs committee, stated on Sunday that Congress "can certainly write into our appropriations bills, prioritizing weapons systems" for Ukraine.
When asked what Congress could do to pressure the Biden administration to give Ukraine longer-range missile systems, such as ATACMS, or F-16s, the Texas Republican responded on ABC, "We intend to do that."

"I am aware that the administration has stated, 'As long as it takes. It shouldn't take as long, in my opinion, with the right tools, McCaul said. "The entire process is taking too long. And it didn't really need to go down this path.

The nine-year anniversary of Russia's occupation of the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine was also observed on Sunday. On Sunday, the US State Department reaffirmed that "Crimea is Ukraine."

According to department spokesperson Ned Price, "the United States does not and will never recognize Russia's purported annexation of the peninsula." He also called Russia's 2014 seizure of Crimea "a clear violation of international law as well as of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The Biden administration's support for Ukraine deciding that victory meant retaking Crimea, however, was not made clear by Sullivan.

He told Bash, "The Ukrainians will decide what happens with Crimea, in the context of this war and a settlement of this war, with the support of the United States.