The rapprochement between Russia and China could lead to a significant escalation, but so far it seems “very overdone”, US President Joe Biden said during a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The words of the American leader are given on the White House website.
“I don’t take what China and Russia are doing lightly and it could escalate significantly. But let’s put it in perspective,” Biden said.
The President of the United States stressed that the United States had “significantly expanded” its alliances with Western countries
“I haven’t seen this happen to China and Russia or anyone else in the world,” he added.
Biden noted that in the past two years as president, he has met with 80% of world leaders. “We are the ones expanding alliances,” he said, citing alliances such as NATO, G7, QUAD, ASEAN and the US alliance with Japan and South Korea.
Responding to a reporter’s remark that trade between China and Russia has increased, Biden asked, “Yes, their trade has increased, (but) relative to what?”
In addition, the American president recalled recent media publications and official declarations which affirm that Beijing intends to supply weapons to Moscow. Over the past three months, Biden said he heard about China’s plans to “supply Russia with a significant amount of weapons.” However, according to the head of state, this never happened.
Several media reported on China’s plans to supply artillery and drones to Russia in late February. Biden declared who “does not expect” from Beijing a “great initiative” to supply weapons to Moscow. At the same time, he threatened China with a retaliatory reaction in the event of a positive decision on this issue.
Against the backdrop of statements by the US president on relations between Beijing and Moscow, Reuters, citing sources reported that Chinese officials have shown no interest in arranging a phone conversation between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
At the end of March, Xi Jinping paid a two-day visit to Moscow, during which he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The heads of state positively assessed the development of relations between the countries and expressed hope for their further strengthening. Following the Chinese leader’s visit to the Russian capital, RTVI presented documents with the main results of the meeting, as well as the reaction of Western media.
