Washington has threatened “significant consequences” for economic, military, or political assistance
The US warned China against helping Russia in any way, the White House confirmed on Monday, following a meeting between President Joe Biden’s national security adviser and a senior Chinese diplomat.
China is a good example “military or other assistance”Russia “there will be significant consequences,”Jen Psaki, White House Press Secretary, told reporters. Psaki didn’t say what it might look like, but she did tell reporters that the US would. “coordinate with our partners and allies to make that determination.”
Her comments come after the meeting in Rome between Biden’s national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, and Chinese envoy Yang Jiechi. Although the agenda was lengthy and the planning for the meeting took months to complete, there were still discussions about the conflict in Ukraine.
Sullivan stated to US media on Sunday that White House had been informed of their intentions ahead of the meeting. “communicating directly, privately to Beijing, that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them.”
“We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world,”He concluded.
A Pentagon official who is not named told reporters on Monday the US has seen China “basically give tacit approval to what Russia is doing”And will “watch very closely”If Beijing gives any military support to Moscow.
This was in regard to widely reported claims over the weekend – sourced to anonymous US officials – that Russia had asked China for military and financial aid. A senior White House official briefing the press ahead of Psaki’s main event declined to comment on those reports, however.
“What I would just say, in general, is that we do have deep concerns about China’s alignment with Russia at this time, and [Sullivan] was direct about those concerns and the potential implications and consequences of certain actions,” the official said.
When Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, was asked about reports that Russia requested assistance, he told Reuters Sunday that he did not know. “had never heard of that,” and said China’s priority was “to prevent the tense situation from escalating or even getting out of control.”
Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry said Monday to reporters that press reports had been inaccurate. “disinformation”The US. He also stated that Beijing still opposes the United States. “unilateral sanctions”Chinese companies will be protected by the Chinese government.
Moscow sent troops into Ukraine last month, citing Kiev’s refusal to implement the peace plan for the breakaway Donbass regions. It was a provocative attack, Ukraine said. The US, along with its allies, have taken a stand against Kiev and imposed severe sanctions on Russia. “crippling” the country’s economy in the long-term, and ramped up deliveries of weapons to the Ukrainian military.
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