WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping spoke Friday for nearly two hours via a video call as the White House looks to deter Beijing from providing military or economic assistance for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
According to a readout of the call from the White House, "Biden described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia."
China’s Foreign Ministry was the first to issue a readout of the conversation. It called the situation in Ukraine “not in anyone’s interest,” without assigning any blame to Russia.
According to China's readout of the call, Xi said the U.S. and NATO should speak with Russia to address "security concerns" to "address the crux of the Ukraine crisis."
There are fears China could launch a similar attack in Taiwan, which it believes is part of the country. Biden told Xi that the U.S. opposes any "unilateral changes to the status quo."
Biden and Xi directed their teams to follow up to make sure dialogue remains open between the two countries.
