Picture: EPA/UPG
During the two-hour conversation, President of the United States Joe Biden warned China leader Xi Jinping of the consequences for Beijing if it provides financial and military aid to Russia for its aggression against Ukraine, - the White House statement said.
“President Biden detailed the efforts of the United States and Allies to prevent and then respond to the invasion, including by imposing costs on Russia, - the statement mentioned. - He described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians.”
As the White House says, the U.S. President underscored his support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.
“The President reiterated that U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed, and emphasized that the United States continues to oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo,” the White House press service reported.
Joe Biden also stressed concerns that Russia is spreading disinformation about biological weapons in Ukraine as a pretext for a false-flag operation, the Administration official said. - He underscored the U.S. concerns about the echoing by China of such disinformation.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said that after the conversation of the two leaders the United States was still concerned about China’s possible reaction.
“We will continue to watch until we see what actions they take or don't,” she said.
Recall that after the today’s conversation between the leaders of China and the United States, Xi Jinping stated that both countries should not only guide their relations forward along the right track, but also shoulder their share of international responsibilities and work for world peace and tranquility.
"The Ukraine crises (war unleashed by Russia – Ed.) is not something we want,” - Xi Jinping declared.
Earlier the Financial Times” informed that Russia asked China to provide military aid to continue invasion of Ukraine. FT also says that the United States informed the Allies in Europe and Asia that China “demonstrated readiness” to provide military support to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine. Then said information was confirmed by the U.S. officials who added that Washington would try to convince Beijing not to interfere on the side of Russia.
On 14 March 2022, in Rome, a seven-hour meeting between Yang Jiechi and Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser to the U.S. President, took place.
“We have communicated very clearly to Beijing, publicly and non-punlicly, that such support (of Russia’s aggression - LB.ua) will have implications,” Ned Price, a speaker of the U.S. Department of States, said.
In his turn, Yang Jiechi stated that the situation in Ukraine had developed to such a point that China did not want to see it.