WHITE HOUSE-
Chinese President Xi Jinping continued his visit to Moscow on Tuesday (March 21, 2023) and met with Russian President Putin again. Earlier, the White House rejected Beijing’s proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine, saying it would be tantamount to approving Russia’s territorial encroachment in Ukraine.
However, a White House official said the Biden administration “fully supports” Xi’s talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, saying that in doing so China may be able to consider Ukraine’s position. Xi is expected to speak to Zelensky after his meeting with Putin.
White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Bryant was interviewed by VOA White House reporter Huang Yaoyi last Friday.
Kirby said the U.S. still doesn’t see China delivering lethal weapons to Russia. He said the United States would provide more aid to Ukraine in the coming days.
Bryant also discussed Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen’s transit to the United States. Beijing opposes this.
Interview transcripts have been edited for brevity and clarity. The following is the Chinese translation of the interview:
VOA: ICC judges just charged Russian President Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekeseyevna Lvova-Belova for abducting children and issue an arrest warrant. What does this mean for US policy against Putin? Does it mean that President Biden cannot meet Putin in the future?
Bryant: This is breaking news and we have to research it before we can make any official comment. Separate and distinct from that, President Biden has been clear that we want to make sure that Russia is held accountable for the atrocities, war crimes, and crimes against humanity that they have committed in Ukraine and against the people of Ukraine. We will continue to assist international agencies in gathering and analyzing evidence. That’s all I can say for now.