Xi tells Biden ‘Ukraine crisis’ is ‘not something we want’ on two-hour call amid fear China will back Russia

‘Peace and security are the most valued treasures of the international community,’ Xi told Biden, per China’s foreign ministry

File photo: US president Joe Biden meets virtually with Chinese president Xi Jinping from the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, 15 November 2021 (AP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping has told US President Joe Biden the Russian invasion of Ukraine — which his government described as “the Ukraine crisis” — was “not something we want to see” during a nearly two-hour video conference between the two leaders.

According to a description of the conversation released by China’s foreign ministry, Mr Xi told Mr Biden the situation brought on by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to mount an invasion last month shows that “countries should not come to the point of meeting on the battlefield,” and said “conflict and confrontation” was not “in anyone’s interest”.

Ukraine news - live updates

The call between the two leaders was part of what Biden administration officials describe as “ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication” between the world’s two largest economies.

A White House statement announcing the call said Mr Biden and Mr Xi were set to discuss “managing the competition” between the US and China,” as well as “Russia’s war against Ukraine and other issues of mutual concern.”

Mr Biden was expected to press Mr Xi on whether China would take steps to help Russia evade or mitigate the effects of crippling sanctions which US, the European Union, and other Western nations have imposed as a result of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

In February, Mr Xi and Russian president Vladimir Putin announced their respective nations had entered into a “no limits” partnership meant as a counterweight to alliances between the US and other democracies such as Nato.

But it’s unclear whether Beijing has deemed assistance with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to be part of that partnership, though Moscow is reported to have asked China for weapons and other military materiel, including ready-to-eat meals for troops.

Prior to the call, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated Mr Biden “will make clear that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression, and we will not hesitate to impose costs”.

“We’re concerned that they’re considering directly assisting Russia with military equipment to use in Ukraine,” Mr Blinken said Thursday.

China has denied such plans, but has refused to condemn Russia’s action in Ukraine or call it an invasion, and it has censored online content in China that is pro-west or unfavorable to Russia.

Beijing, while saying it recognizes Ukraine sovereignty, has also said Russia has legitimate security concerns that should be addressed, and has urged a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

While the Biden administration has threatened unspecified counter-measures if China helps Russia’s effort in Ukraine, officials have grown more resigned to that likelihood.

The US and its allies have not yet decided on precisely what steps to take against China, according to one person involved in those conversations.

Targeting Beijing with the sort of extensive economic sanctions imposed on Russia would have potentially dire consequences for the US and the world, given that China is the second largest economy and largest exporter.

A seven-hour meeting in Rome on Monday between lower-level aides to Mr Biden and Mr Xi were described as “tough” and “intense” by officials.

Mr Biden’s administration has not yet offered evidence of the claim that China has signaled a willingness to help Russia.

Moscow has denied asking China for military assistance, and China’s foreign ministry called the idea “disinformation.”

Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said this week the country was counting on China to help it withstand the blow to its economy from punishing Western sanctions aimed at isolating Russia’s economy from the rest of the world.

The Independent has a proud history of campaigning for the rights of the most vulnerable, and we first ran our Refugees Welcome campaign during the war in Syria in 2015. Now, as we renew our campaign and launch this petition in the wake of the unfolding Ukrainian crisis, we are calling on the government to go further and faster to ensure help is delivered. To find out more about our Refugees Welcome campaign, click here. To sign the petition click here. If you would like to donate then please click here for our GoFundMe page.

Reuters contributed to this report