New Delhi: The White House has criticised China saying that the absence of a clear denunciation of Russia's offensive against Ukraine flies in the face of everything Beijing stands for, including the basic principles of the UN Charter and respect for the sovereignty of nations.
The statement came ahead of the much-anticipated call between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping slated to take place on Friday.
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Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said that China's assistance to Russia in invading a foreign country was of significant concern and the response to that would have consequences, news agency PTI reported.
It was informed that Biden will speak with Chinese President Xi on Friday to discuss the ongoing economic competition between the two countries and Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"This (the call) is an opportunity for President Biden to assess where President Xi stands. There has been, of course, rhetorical support, or the absence of clear rhetoric and denunciation - or the absence of denunciation by China of what Russia is doing. This flies in the face of everything China stands for, including the basic principles of the UN Charter, including the basic principles of respect for the sovereignty of nations," she said, as quoted by PTI.
"The fact that China has not denounced what Russia is doing, in and of itself, speaks volumes. It also speaks volumes not only in Russia or in Ukraine, but around the world. This call also comes as we have made clear our deep concerns about China's alignment with Russia and the potential implications and consequences of that," she added.
The announcement of the much-awaited call between the two leaders comes days after US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met Yang Jiechi, Chinese Communist Party Politburo Member and Director of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Commission, in Rome.
The White House Press Secretary stated that President Biden is a big believer in leader-to-leader diplomacy, "they have a lot to discuss, given the last time the President met with President Xi virtually was last November - a couple of months ago."
In response to a question, she said the US was concerned that China is considering directly assisting Russia by providing them with more military equipment to use in Ukraine.
"It is a high concern, a significant concern, given our Secretary of State just conveyed that. And certainly, our concerns about China assisting, in any way, Russia as they invade a foreign country is of significant concern, and the response to that would have consequences," Jen Psaki said.
So far, China has refused to condemn the Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Early this month, Foreign Minister Wang described Russia as Beijing's most important strategic partner.
"No matter how perilous the international landscape, we will maintain our strategic focus and promote the development of comprehensive China-Russia partnership in the new era, Wang told reporters. The friendship between the two peoples is ironclad," he said, as quoted by PTI.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24 announced a "special military operation" against Ukraine and warned other countries that any attempt to interfere would lead to unprecedented consequences.
Amid the violent conflict, the United Nations estimates that over 2 million Ukrainians have fled their country, and the number is expected to grow.