On Friday, President Joe Biden had a call with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The call nearly went on for 2 hours. China is weighing whether to provide material support or financial assistance to Russia. The conversation was focused on Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. President Biden shared the views of the United States and its allies and partners on this crisis.
The conversation was centred on the war in Ukraine and the implications the crisis would have for US-China relations and the “international order,” an official said. The official called the conversation “direct,” “substantive,” “detailed” and “candid,” but would not describe what those implications were. ”
China has to make a decision for themselves on where they want to stand and how they want the history books to look at them and view their actions,” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
Xi acknowledged that “the world is neither peaceful nor tranquil.” “The Ukraine crisis is something we don’t want to see.” Deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman on CNN said, “The ask is that China needs to stand on the right side of history.”
The Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry readout from the call said,” Xi pointed out that the U.S.-China relationship has not yet emerged from the predicament created by the previous U.S. administration but has instead encountered more and more challenges.”
President Joe Biden made clear the implications and consequences if China were to provide material support to Russia as it prosecutes its brutal war in Ukraine, not just for China’s relationship with the United States, but for the wider world.
The White House did not reveal what the implications or consequences would be, but Press Secretary Jen Psaki hinted that China’s massive trade flows could be impacted.Xi’s readout said, “The United States and NATO should also engage in dialogue with Russia to untie the knot behind the Ukrainian crisis and resolve the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine.”
“The top 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.
Though Beijing denied it, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was concerned China was considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment for use in Ukraine.
It is the fourth week of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and thousands of civilians have already been killed and millions have fled the country.
Published By : VATSAL KOTHA
Edited By : KHUSHI THAKUR
