Face to face by video, President Joe Biden laid out to Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday the consequences the Chinese would face from the U.S. if they provide military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. FOX13
China’s Foreign Ministry, in a readout after the nearly two-hour conversation, deplored "conflict and confrontation" as "not in anyone’s interest," but assigned no blame to Russia and said nothing of next steps.
Ahead of the call, Psaki noted Beijing’s "rhetorical support" of Putin and an "absence of denunciation" of Russia’s invasion. China noted its calls for negotiations and its donations of humanitarian aid for Ukraine, while accusing the U.S. of provoking Russia and fueling the conflict by shipping arms to Ukraine. Xi also renewed China’s criticism of sanctions imposed on Russia over the invasion, according to State media. As in the past, Xi did not use the terms war or invasion to describe Russia’s actions.
The White House says China has been sending mixed messages. There were initial signs that Chinese state-owned banks were pulling back from financing Russian activities, according to a senior Biden administration official who insisted on anonymity to discuss internal analyses. But there have also been public comments by Chinese officials who expressed support for Russia being a strategic partner.
Xi and Putin met in early February, weeks before the invasion, with the Russian leader traveling to Beijing for the start of the Winter Olympics. The two leaders issued a 5,000-word statement declaring limitless "friendship."
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