The Biden administration has warned China against assisting Russia with financial or military assistance, in the face of devastating sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies. On Monday, a U.S. delegation led by national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese officials in Rome, hoping to press Beijing into severing ties with Moscow. The meeting came as China’s Foreign Ministry denied reports that the Kremlin asked Beijing for military equipment.

Zhao Lijian: “Recently the U.S. has been spreading disinformation against China in regards to the Ukraine issue, time after time, with sinister intentions. China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and we have always played a constructive role in persuading peace and promoting talks.”