US Secretary of State: "Biden to Warn Xi Jinping About Military Support to Russia in Call"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to directly warn Chinese President Xi Jinping about China’s military support moves for Russia in relation to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine during their phone call on the 18th (local time), Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

At a press briefing on the 17th, Secretary Blinken said, "President Biden will make it clear to President Xi tomorrow (the 18th) that China will be held accountable for any actions it takes to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."

Earlier, the White House confirmed that President Biden and President Xi are scheduled to have a phone call on the 18th. This contact between the two leaders is the first since their virtual summit on November 15 last year and the first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Secretary Blinken expressed concern that China is showing signs of providing military and economic support to Russia. He added that China has a responsibility to exert influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin to uphold international rules and principles.

On the 14th, Jake Sullivan, White House National Security Advisor, met with his counterpart Yang Jiechi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party, in Rome, Italy, and directly warned that China would face serious consequences if it provides economic or military support to Russia.

On the same day, Secretary Blinken commented on President Biden’s first statement calling President Putin, who ordered the invasion of Ukraine, a "war criminal," saying, "I personally agree with President Biden’s remarks that war crimes are being committed in Ukraine." He explained, "Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime," and that they are currently collecting and evaluating related evidence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.