President Joe Biden said he warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping that any decision they make to help Russia in its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine would put him and his country at “significant risk”.
At NATO headquarters in Brussels, Biden was asked if he saw any signs that China might intervene in the conflict to support Russia.
The president did not respond directly, but referred to the twohour conversation he had with Xi last week.
Biden mentioned that he did not threaten Xi but “made sure he understood the consequences of aid to Russia.”
“I didn’t make any threats, but I pointed out the number of American and foreign companies that have left Russia because of their brutal behavior,” he said.
Biden recounted having had “long discussions” with Xi about the Chinese leader’s interest in “economic ties and economic growth with Europe and the United States,” and told reporters he had “hinted” to Xi that he was “dressing himself.” and “these targets” are at “significant risk” if he takes any action to help Russia ease sanctions imposed by the US, NATO and the European Union.
“I think China understands that its economic future is much more tied to the West than to Russia,” Biden added. “So I hope he doesn’t interfere.”