US warns China of consequences if it helps Russia to evade sanctions

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U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has warned Beijing it would "absolutely" face consequences if it helped Moscow evade sanctions over the war in Ukraine.</p>
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Reports in the US media, citing unnamed officials, claim that Russia asked China to provide military equipment, including drones.</p>
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However, the Chinese embassy in Washington said it was not aware of this request.</p>
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The warning comes ahead of a meeting in Rome on Monday between top US and China officials.</p>
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In a CNN interview, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said they were "communicating directly, privately to Beijing that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions evasion efforts or support to Russia to backfill them.</p>
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"We will not allow that to go forward and allow there to be a lifeline to Russia from these economic sanctions from any country, anywhere in the world."</p>
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Mr Sullivan is due to meet Yang Jiechi, a member of China's top decision-making body the Politburo and the head of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission, on Monday in Rome.</p>
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Reuters news agency quoted a US official as saying that during the meeting Mr Sullivan will spell out the consequences and isolation China would face if it increased support for Russia.</p>
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Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for China's embassy in Washington DC, told US media that he had not heard of Russia's request. He added: "The high priority now is to prevent the tense situation from escalating or even getting out of control."</p>
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China so far has refrained from condemning Russia for the military operation, and has said Moscow's "legitimate security concerns" should be taken seriously.</p>
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<strong>Also read:  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/russia-warns-us-western-arms-convoys-to-ukraine-will-be-treated-as-military-targets-156838.html">Russia warns US: Western arms convoys to Ukraine will be treated as military targets</a></strong></p>