U.S. President Joe Biden warned Chinese President Xi Jinping in a video conference on Friday of “implications and consequences” should China support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Xi told Biden that his country does not want the war.
The brief White House statement described the conversation as “focused” on Ukraine. But much lengthier summaries released by the China side portrayed a more wide-ranging discussion, including “the situation in Ukraine,” and said that the U.S. had requested the call.
Biden pointed out to Xi in detail the response to Russia’s invasion from governments around the world as well as the private sector, according to a senior administration official who briefed reporters after the call on condition of anonymity. Many international companies have withdrawn from Russia’s market, including Visa Inc., Mastercard Inc., McDonald’s Corp. and Starbucks Corp.
Biden made clear to Xi that there likely would be consequences for anyone who supports Russia, the official said.