America’s Warning to China: Support for Invasion Will Come at Steep Price

Chinese President Xi Jinping can exert the greatest influence on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the invasion of Ukraine. He must never be allowed to evade this responsibility.

President Joe Biden and Xi met by videoconference. This is the first conversation between the two leaders since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Biden warned that China will pay a steep price if it supports Russia militarily and economically. Biden reportedly also raised the possibility of subjecting China to the same severe economic sanctions as Russia.

There was no criticism of Russia from Xi. He expressed opposition to U.S. and European sanctions against Russia, saying that they are “all-encompassing and indiscriminate,” and that “ordinary people will suffer.” This may have been an attempt to deter the U.S. from taking steps to impose sanctions on China.

However, the U.S. and Europe are showing unprecedented solidarity in response to Putin’s barbaric actions. Xi should not take the warning of sanctions against China lightly.

We should not overlook the fact that Xi said the U.S. and NATO should talk with Russia and resolve their security concerns. This is tantamount to indicating he has no intention of meeting with Putin himself to resolve the situation.

The Ukraine crisis is now at a crossroads. It has been pointed out that Russia has failed to achieve the short-term victory it had initially hoped for and is facing logistical challenges.

Under these circumstances, it is clear that if China provides weapons and food for Russian soldiers, the Russian military will regain momentum ,and its inhumane attacks on Ukraine will intensify.

Russia may also expect to receive generous financial and trade support from China to cushion the blow of sanctions.

If China were to forgo lending support, it would further exacerbate Russia’s plight. At that point, the possibility of a cease-fire and withdrawal of troops finally becomes a reality. China faces a grave responsibility.

Xi has promised Putin “cooperation without limits” between China and Russia with the aim of reforming the U.S.-led international order. It is unacceptable to act as if they are not parties to the situation any longer or to pretend to be neutral.

China is a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, which is responsible for world peace and is a major power with decisive veto power. If China remains unaware of this and continues to be practically complicit in Russia’s aggression, it will only lose international credibility.