By Janet Ekstract
ISTANBUL- On Friday, in a phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, U.S. President Joe Biden’s purpose was to put pressure on China to join the West in condemning Russia’s war on Ukraine. In the call, Xi commented that the war is “in no one’s interest” and China’s State broadcaster CCTV reported that the Chinese leader remarked that “state-to-state relations cannot go to the stage of military hostilities.” Xi was also quoted as saying that China and the United States should “shoulder international responsibilities.” The Chinese leader added that: “peace and security are the most valued treasures of the international community.”
As experts and analysts have pointed out often, both Xi and Putin are close allies and Xi has so far refused to condemn Russia’s invasion or join the international community in placing sanctions on the Russian president. It was Biden’s first call with Xi since November and sources say that most likely, Biden hopes Xi will not choose to provide financial or military aid to Russia. Last week, the Biden administration warned China that any attempts to do so will be met with swift consequences.
Meanwhile, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman told CNN earlier on Friday that China should “understand that their future is with the United States, with Europe, with other developed and developing countries around the world. Their future is not to stand with Vladimir Putin.” In the event that Xi decides to assist Putin, this would turn the tables significantly and Western governments would be facing the excruciating decision of how to react to China – the world’s second largest economy which financial analysts predict would have devastating effects on international markets.
The White House has not commented on what plans Biden has or would implement were China to actually assist Russia. Prior to the call though, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken weighed in on what Biden might comment and said 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.” Blinken has already urged China to use its leverage with Russia to convince Putin to end the war in Ukraine.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that Biden’s call with Xi occurred after the Chinese Communist Party’s Chief Diplomat Yang Jiechi had a seven-hour meeting in Rome earlier this week. It is a particularly crucial time for Chinese and American relations analysts predict, with Taiwan being a sore spot between the two countries as well as trade disputes. Experts on China insist that Xi has a delicate balancing act in making a decision either way because on one hand China’s economy is tied closely to the West as well as the U.S. and it also values its relations with Russia.
It was at the February Winter Olympics in Beijing that many observed Xi and Putin further cement their close partnership and as political analysts have observed, the Chinese government has steadfastly refused to even label Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a “war.” Analysts and experts say that although China is close to Russia, Xi is seen as a leader who prefers to be an influencer on the global scene while Putin is viewed as a violator of international law. This means, according to experts on China, that Xi may fear tarnishing his global reputation. So far, China remains silent on its intentions with regard to Russia and Biden is left to wait and see.
