Washington has ‘deep concerns’ over China ties with Russia: Senior US official

The State Department on Monday warned countries, including China, from trying to bail Russia out of its “economic, financial morass.”

Meanwhile, a senior Biden administration official warned voiced Washington’s concern over Russia and China’s “alignment.”

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US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi in Rome earlier to warn against any move if Beijing helped Russia in its war in Ukraine.

“It was an intense seven-hour session, reflecting the gravity of the moment, as well as our commitment to maintaining open lines of communication,” the administration official, who was speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

The official said an “extensive conversation” on Russia and Ukraine was held during the talks, which also addressed the “escalating situation” in North Korea.

The White House said that the pair had a “substantial discussion” on Ukraine, without elaborating. They also discussed the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between Washington and Beijing.

State Department Spokesman Ned Price warned countries against trying to help Russia as it tries to cope with crushing economic sanctions from the West. “Any country that would seek to attempt to bail Russia out of this economic, financial morass will be met with consequences. We will ensure that no country is able to get away with such a thing,” Price said during a press briefing.

“If the concept of sovereignty means anything in practice, to a country like [China], we would expect countries like that, to stand up, to speak, to make clear that a blatant violation of state sovereignty, the likes of which we have not heretofore seen in this century, is unacceptable,” he added.