Ahead of President Biden's talks tomorrow with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, the White House is preparing the ground for the tone the US is expected to take on China's stance and role in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The US is threatening China with sanctions as the country, according to the Americans, should take responsibility for any actions it takes that support Moscow's moves.
White House expresses 'concern' over China's military aid to Russia[BR]In that vein, the White House today expressed "grave concern" that China could send Russia military equipment to help in Moscow's offensive against Ukraine.
It noted that U.S. President Joe Biden would be forthright and willing to criticize his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during their phone call tomorrow, Friday.
White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki commented meaningfully that the fact that China has not condemned Russia's actions "says a lot."
Ukraine: US also warns China with sanctions
Thus, as the US Secretary of State has signaled, the US is ready to impose sanctions against China, as according to Anthony Blinken they are "responsible" for the war in Ukraine.
The US diplomatic chief said US President Joe Biden will make it clear to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping that his country "bears responsibility" for any actions supporting Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, which has been going on for the 22nd day.
As a reminder, Presidents Biden and Xi will have a meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 18, to discuss the war situation in Ukraine. As Secretary of State Blinken said, the head of the US administration will make it clear to Beijing that if he does not use his influence with Vladimir Putin to stop the war, then there is a share of the blame to be charged.
This is not the first time that US diplomacy through the mouth of Blinken has advocated this. However, Beijing does not seem to share this position, as emerged from the words of the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, who made it clear that the US has a significant responsibility for what is happening in Ukraine, as it believes it has won the Cold War and is therefore expanding NATO to the east.
Blinken: China to use its influence on Putin
[/P]"We continue to call on all nations, especially those with direct influence on Russia, to use whatever means they have to force Moscow to end this war (in Ukraine). We believe that China in particular has a responsibility, as it can use its influence on President Putin and defend the international norms and principles it claims to uphold," Blinken said."
"On the contrary," the US Secretary of State pointed out, "it seems that China is moving in the opposite direction, refusing to condemn this aggression, seeking to present itself as a neutral observer."
"On the contrary," the US Secretary of State pointed out, "it seems that China is moving in the opposite direction, refusing to condemn this aggression, seeking to present itself as a neutral observer. And we are concerned that it is considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment for its use in Ukraine. President Biden will speak to President Xi tomorrow and make clear that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia's aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose sanctions."
China backs Russia in Ukraine and blames the US
Earlier, China took a tough stance against the US over the ongoing war in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
Beijing is effectively blaming Washington as well for the current situation in Ukraine. As China's Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lizian stressed, the United States of America believes that it has won the Cold War and is therefore expanding NATO to the east.
"The key to resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis lies in the hands of the United States and NATO," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday (17/3).
As Chinadaily reported, Zhao Lijian added that Beijing hopes that Washington can truly take a stand "for peace and justice together with most developed countries in the world."
Zhao also noted at his press conference that China is promoting peace talks and making efforts to peacefully resolve the crisis in Ukraine. He further added that his country will continue to play a constructive role in the issue.
He went on to stress that "the instigators of the Ukraine crisis should carefully reflect on their role in it, sincerely assume their due responsibilities and take practical measures to defuse the situation and solve the problem instead of blaming others."
To add: "The US administration's decision to expand NATO eastward is directly linked to the current crisis in Ukraine. The key to resolving the crisis in Ukraine lies in the hands of the United States and NATO, and China hopes that the US can truly stand on the side of peace and justice with most developed countries in the world to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine.
Finally, China's Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that his country's position on the Ukraine issue is "fair and objective" and the countries that should really "feel uncomfortable are those that believe they have won the Cold War and can dominate the world, ignoring other countries' concerns, and continue to promote NATO's eastward enlargement efforts."
China against NATO-US from the start
This is not the first time China has blamed the US for the current situation in Ukraine.
In the previous regular briefing for reporters, Zhao Lijian had pointed out that NATO's moves had pushed the tension between Moscow and Kiev "to an extreme."
And then he had called on the US to take China's concerns seriously and urged it to avoid undermining its rights or interests in handling the Ukrainian issue and the ties it has developed with Russia.
Further, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman had added that his country's Red Cross will provide a 5 million yuan humanitarian aid package to Ukraine, consisting of items to meet daily needs.
Source: iefimerida.gr
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