Russia is in talks with a Chinese manufacturer to buy 100 drones with a delivery date of April, the German magazine Der Spiegel reported Thursday without citing specific sources.

In recent days, the U.S., Germany and other Western countries have urged China not to sell weapons to Russia to wage war against Ukraine, saying any such move would have serious consequences.

Western powers have accused Russia, which is under strict Western sanctions imposed in response to aggression against Ukraine, of buying weapons from Iran and North Korea, including drones. However, China has not yet sold weapons to Russia to wage war in Ukraine.

Der Spiegel writes that Chinese drone manufacturer Xian Bingo Intelligent Aviation Technology said it was ready to produce 100 prototypes of the ZT-180 drone, which, according to the magazine, can carry a 35-50 kg warhead.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz told the Chinese representatives that they would not be able to agree with that, he said Thursday in an interview with ZDF television when asked about less specific reports that China might help Russia with weapons.

According to the German publication, the drone is similar to Iran's Shaheed-136, with which Russia has carried out countless attacks in Ukraine, claiming hundreds of lives and severely damaging civilian infrastructure.

The publication said Xian Bingo has plans to help set up a drone production site in Russia, where up to 100 drones could be produced per month.