Ukraine crisis: the US warns China not to help Russia

According to US media reports, the United States says China faces serious "consequences" if it helps Russia invade Ukraine. According to reports, the unnamed official told several American media outlets that Russia sought military support from China after the invasion began.

The Chinese Embassy in Washington said it was not aware of the request. The warning comes ahead of a meeting between the senior US and Chinese officials in Rome on Monday. Since the crisis began, Beijing has pledged solid rhetorical support for longtime ally Moscow, but it is not publicly known whether it has provided military or economic support.

However, local media, citing US officials, reported that Russia had requested special military equipment from China in recent days, including drones. China's response to this request is unknown. 

He added that while the United States believed China was aware that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was "plotting something up" before the invasion took place, Beijing "may not fully understand." "Because it is possible that [Mr] Putin lied to them in the same way he lied to Europeans and others," Sullivan said. Sullivan is expected to meet Yang Jiechi, a member of China's top decision-making body, the Politburo, and head of the Central Committee on Foreign Affairs in Rome.

Reuters quoted a US official saying Sullivan would outline during the meeting the consequences and isolation China would face if it stepped up its support for Russia. Liu Pengu, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told US media that he had not heard Russia's request. But, he added: "Preventing an escalation of a tense situation or even getting it out of control is now a high priority."

China has so far refrained from condemning Russia for the invasion, saying Moscow's "legitimate security concerns" should be taken seriously. However, in recent days, Chinese state media and government officials have not only repeated Russia's official statement that it was a "special military operation" and not an invasion but also repeated allegations of Russian disinformation about the war.

But at the same time, Beijing has expressed "unwavering support" for Ukraine's sovereignty. He also called for peace and said he was ready to end wars through diplomacy. Several countries have urged China to do more to stop Russia's invasion.