President Biden To Warn President Xi Jinping By Phone Today, US: We're Worried That China Is Helping Russia In Ukraine

JAKARTA - United States President Joe Biden will hold a telephone conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, following reports that Russia has requested military assistance from China regarding military operations, especially in Ukraine, a move that if realized would widen Washington's distance with Beijing.

President Biden's administration has issued public and private warnings that Beijing will face dire consequences if it provides material support for Russian President Vladimir Putin's war.

"President Biden will speak with President Xi tomorrow (today) and will explain, China will be held accountable for any actions necessary to support Russian aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs," US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. press conference, reported Reuters March 18.

Blinken further said that China has a responsibility to use its influence over President Putin and to defend international rules. However, it appears that Beijing is "moving in the opposite direction."

"We are concerned that they are considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment for use in Ukraine," he said, formally confirming for the first time reports earlier this week that US officials believed China had signaled its willingness to provide such equipment to Moscow. support.

Foreign Minister Blinken did not specify what costs China might incur, and Washington has not provided evidence of claims China has signaled a willingness to help Russia.

Meanwhile, Moscow has denied seeking Chinese military assistance, and China's foreign ministry has called the idea "disinformation". It is known, Western countries have sent military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine.

At the White House, press secretary Jen Psaki called the call an opportunity for President Biden to assess where President Xi stands.

"The fact that China does not denounce what Russia is doing, the absence of criticism from China of what Russia is doing in and of itself speaks volumes," Psaki said.

Separately, China's official Xinhua news agency said the call would be made in the evening Beijing time.

Asked which party requested the summons, a US administration official said it was mutually agreed upon at the Rome meeting on Monday, where National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held seven-hour talks with Chinese diplomat Yang Jiechi.

US officials have described the talks as "difficult" and are still debating how to react if Xi gives Putin military or economic aid.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which is in its fourth week, has killed hundreds of civilians, razed cities to rubble and triggered a humanitarian crisis as millions fled the country.

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said this week the country was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from sweeping Western sanctions aimed at isolating Russia's economy from the rest of the world.

China has refused to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine or call it an invasion, and has censored online content in China that is pro-Western or unfavorable to Russia. Beijing, while saying it recognizes Ukraine's sovereignty, has also said Russia has legitimate security issues that must be addressed.

"We've seen China basically give tacit approval to what Russia is doing by refusing to join the sanctions, by blaming the West and the United States for the help we're providing Ukraine, by claiming that they want to see a peaceful outcome, but on the other hand, they don't want to see a peaceful outcome. basically do nothing to achieve it," a senior US defense official told Reuters before the call was announced.

President Biden and President Xi, who spent a lot of time together before they came to lead their respective countries, have not met face to face since President Biden took office last year. However, the call will mark their fourth interaction since, the most recent being a November videoconference.

Washington has sought to define the relationship as one of competitive coexistence, but China's 'borderless' strategic partnership with Russia was announced last month and its stance on Ukraine has called into question that.

Targeting Beijing with extensive economic sanctions imposed on Russia would have potentially dire consequences for the US and the global economy as well, given that China is the world's second-largest economy and the largest exporter.