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Biden warns Xi against supporting Russia in Ukraine war
Chinese President Xi Jinping holds a video call with US President Joe Biden. Photo: Liu Bin/Xinhua/dpa
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The Russian invasion of Ukraine is the focus of a phone call between US President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Biden finds clear words of warning.
US President Joe Biden personally warned China’s head of state and party leader Xi Jinping in a video link against Russia supporting the war against Ukraine.
Biden explained to Xi the consequences “if China provides material support to Russia in its brutal attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilians,” the White House said on Friday. The Russian invasion of Ukraine was the focus of the almost two-hour phone call. Alluding to possible sanctions, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Thursday that the US would not hesitate to impose “costs” on China if it supported the Russian attack.
Biden has made clear “consequences” for China
A senior White House official described the nearly two-hour conversation as “direct” and “detailed.” Biden has made clear “the implications and consequences” for China “if China should provide significant support to Russia while it is pursuing the brutal war in Ukraine,” the US government official said. This would have consequences for the relationship with the USA, but also with the rest of the world. Biden told Xi how united large parts of the international community were in condemning Russia and imposing sanctions. When asked, the top official declined to comment on whether China actually decided to support Russia.
The official also said Biden had expressed concern at China’s further dissemination of Russian misinformation, including about alleged biological weapons in Ukraine.
Xi: Both states should work for peace
According to Chinese state media, Xi appealed in the phone call to Biden to work together with the People’s Republic for peace in the world. “The crisis in Ukraine is something we don’t want to see,” Xi said, according to a report by state broadcaster CCTV. As permanent members of the UN Security Council and major world economies, both states should also “take on international responsibilities and make efforts for peace and tranquility in the world.” Conflicts and confrontations are in nobody’s interest.
The US government has repeatedly warned China and companies in the People’s Republic against helping Russia to circumvent Western sanctions. In such a case, the punitive measures could also be extended to Chinese companies, it said. The EU and the USA are significantly more important trading partners for China than Russia.