The US says China will face harsh "consequences" if it aids Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, according to US media reports.

Unnamed officials reportedly told multiple US news outlets that Russia asked China to provide military assistance after it began the invasion.

The Chinese foreign ministry described the allegation as disinformation from the US.

The exchanges come as top US and China officials prepare to meet in Rome.

US media outlets, citing Washington officials, say that Russia has in recent days asked China specifically for military equipment, including drones.

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".

"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," he said.

He added that while the US believed China was aware that Russian leader Vladimir Putin was "planning something" before the invasion happened, Beijing "may not have understood the full extent of it".

"Because it's very possible that [Mr] Putin lied to them the same way that he lied to Europeans and others," Mr Sullivan said.

In response, a spokesman for the foreign ministry in Beijing, Zhao Lijian, said the US was spreading disinformation.

He added that China's stance had always been consistent and that China was playing a constructive role in promoting talks.

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.

Reuters news agency quoted a US official as saying that during the meeting, Mr Sullivan would spell out the consequences and isolation China would face if it increased support for Russia.

China has so far refrained from condemning Russia for the invasion and has said Moscow's "legitimate security concerns" should be taken seriously.

But Beijing at the same time has expressed "unwavering support" for Ukraine's sovereignty. It has also called for peace and has said it is ready to help end the war through diplomacy. Several countries have urged China to do more to stop Russia's invasion.

The EU and US help Ukraine, China helps Russia; if that's how this goes, then it's a delineation that will make the war in Ukraine an even more consequential one.

The White House has decided to make public its claim just as President Biden's top security adviser is due to meet with China's most senior diplomat. It appears to be a tactical move, to put pressure on China; presumably to either confirm or deny it.

The bigger aim could be to try to make Xi Jinping weigh up the pros and cons to his current position of what was last week called a "rock solid" relationship with Moscow.

Remember that it was just weeks ago, as the Winter Olympics opened in Beijing, that Presidents Xi and Putin declared a new alliance that had "no limit". Military aid could, clearly, be part of that.

But in the days after Russia's invasion China has condemned the UK, the US and others for giving weapons to Ukraine's military, saying they were adding "fuel to the fire".

If the US intelligence assessment is correct and Beijing follows through on that request, then they too would be "adding fuel".

joyandfaith:
India is looking at China like this.

helinues:


India are on the same page with Russia. Infact they are part of other 3 who abstained voted against from voting in UN resolution

joyandfaith:

India is an US ally. India is not an enemy of Russia either but not ally. But China and India are not in the same page. They are enemies. India would benefit from any punch on China economy.

ManirBK:
World War 3 America vs China Loading and it's going to be a blockbuster fight.
Over to you China

GooodHardDick:
Foolish talk!

USA under Biden has become a toothless bulldog!

helinues:


The problem with some of you is, you think getting updated about this issue is to sit and read what are posted on NL only..

Stay updated by watching the analysis from different medias.. Though I understand NTA no dey cover the event hence reason why your update is so slow.

4 countries voted against UN resolution, Russia, Belarus, India and one country while 160+ voted in support yet India is not Russia Ally?

Stay updated

helinues:


[s]The problem with some of you is, you think getting updated about this issue is to sit and read what are posted on NL only[/s]..

Stay updated by watching the analysis from different medias.. Though I understand NTA no dey cover the event hence reason why your update is so slow.

4 countries voted against UN resolution, Russia, Belarus, India and one country while 160+ voted in support yet India is not Russia Ally?

Stay updated

tabletman1:
You're the clown that needs to stay updated.
India abstain because Ukraine has always voted against India on any UN decision.

joyandfaith:


You are the one that are not updated. You goofed by saying india voted against UN resolution. India abstained from vote.
Five countries voted against the resolution – with the Russian Federation joined by allies of Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea and Syria.
You don't know even know that india is long time us ally.
I thought you are knowledgeable.

helinues:


[s]I watched the UN resolution live, perhaps I missed that up but I was damn sure they did not vote in support. Infact, I watched South Africa statement for abstaining from the votes.

Btw, you have been doing copy and paste about this issue.. You do not want to argue with me about the events I have been monitoring for years now. If you check some of my comments regarding the Crisis, I am mostly LY ahead of most of the news cos I have different sources[/s]

joyandfaith:


Stop watching YouTube. Read historical books. Follow news on Twitter. Have real life intellectual discussion with scholars. Stop worshiping politicians.
I don't post without checking facts. It is foolish people that would be arguing blindly without checking all facts.

helinues:


[s]Perhaps you are talking of what you are guilty about[/s]..

Those who have been following the events for years now know the real story without getting emotional.

How does worshipping Politicians related to this if not our of idea talk..

Laughing in Mandarin

helinues:


I watched the UN resolution live, perhaps I missed that up but I was damn sure they did not vote in support. Infact, I watched South Africa statement for abstaining from the votes.

Btw, you have been doing copy and paste about this issue.. You do not want to argue with me about the events I have been monitoring for years now. If you check some of my comments regarding the Crisis, I am mostly LY ahead of most of the news cos I have different sources

Rugaria:
Pure madness!
Not even during the cold war days did the US or any western power go out of their ways to threaten China and Russia at the same time..
This is what happens when you have an oversized impression of yourself. The idea that the west is determined to take on China and Russia at the same time, tells every discerning mind, how desperate and reckless the west has become as other power units around different regions of the world, start to emerge and solidify..
Dying empires desperately trying to reinvent themselves and dominate for ever. China will do the needful anyways..

helinues:


Did you get that update from NTA?

tabletman1:

I seriously hate to quote unintelligent beings especially those who spent most of their time like jobless dolts on nairaland shouting Afojans,Ipobs, PDP and the likes and I know you're one of them.
You simply would have browse this information or maybe go through your own source to review it again but foolishness won't let you because you want to win augment online.
I won't bother to reply you if you're not coming with your own list or evidence.