Biden exposed to Xi the consequences of China helping Russian invasion

the president of United States, Joe Bidenwarned the Chinese leader, Xi Jinpingthat there will be “consequences” if Beijing gives material support to the invasion russian from Ukrainereported the White House, with both sides stressing the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

In a video call that lasted just under two hours, at a time of growing acrimony between the world’s two biggest powers, Biden detailed efforts by the United States and its allies to respond to the invasion, including imposing costs on Russia.

“He outlined the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia while it carries out brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians,” the White House said in a statement, adding that Biden “underscored his support for a diplomatic solution to the crisis.”

China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi told Biden that the war in Ukraine must end as soon as possible and called on NATO nations to talk with Moscow. However, he did not blame Russia for the invasion.

“The main priorities now are to continue dialogue and negotiations, avoid civilian casualties, prevent a humanitarian crisis, cease fighting and end the war as soon as possible,” Xi said.

The Chinese president said that all parties should support Russia-Ukraine dialogue and negotiations, while Washington and NATO should also hold talks with Russia to resolve the “crux” of the Ukrainian crisis and the security concerns of both. from Russia and Ukraine.

“The Ukrainian crisis is something we don’t want to see,” Chinese state media quoted Xi as saying in the call, which they said was requested by the US side.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the Biden administration was concerned that China is considering directly helping Russia with military equipment for use in Ukraine, something Beijing has denied.

Washington is also concerned that China could help Russia circumvent Western economic sanctions.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine, now in its fourth week, has killed hundreds of civilians, reduced urban areas to rubble and triggered a humanitarian crisis as millions flee the country.

Russia on Friday fired missiles at an airport near Lviv, a city where hundreds of thousands of people have sought refuge away from Ukraine’s battlefields, as Moscow tries to regain the initiative in its stalled campaign, which it calls a military operation. special.

Ukraine has added a new front in a US-China relationship already at its worst in decades, further deflating Biden’s initial hopes of easing a wide range of disputes using a personal connection with Xi that predates his mandate.

Biden has been eager to avoid a new “Cold War” with China, seeking instead to define the relationship as one of competitive coexistence, but China’s “no-limits” strategic partnership with Russia announced last month and his stance on Ukraine have questioned.