WASHINGTON – Officials from the United States and China met on Monday to discuss a range of challenges facing their bilateral relationship, including Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.

The talks were described by a senior official of the administration as being “intense”, lasting for at least seven hours.

An official speaking on condition anonymity said that Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, had told Yang Jiechi (China’s top diplomat) that the U.S. fears Beijing could try to dampen global sanctions.

According to the official, “What I would tell you in general is that our deep concern about China’s alliance with Russia” “The national security advisor spoke directly about these concerns and discussed the consequences and potential consequences of some actions,” the official stated.

Sullivan’s trip follows reports from Moscow that China requested military equipment in order to support its war on Ukraine. When reporters pressed him, the official downplayed his trip’s timing.

The official stated that the meeting was planned since a while and added that scheduling had been coordinated last fall between U.S. officials and Chinese officials.

Beijing denies reports that Moscow asked it for military equipment and any other support to its ongoing war in Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov (Kremlin spokesperson) denied that Russia asked for military support from China Monday.

At a press conference on Monday, Ned Price, spokesperson for the State Department, stated that “we are closely watching the extent to which any country or the PRC provides support material economic, financial and rhetorical to this war of choice, President Putin is engaging in against the government of Ukraine”, referring to the People’s Republic of China.

Price said that he was clear with Beijing, both in private and public communication with Beijing, about the consequences of any support for such a project.

On Monday, a top Defense official stated that China could choose to support Russia materially in the war.

The official said that China had given tacit support to Russia’s actions by not joining sanctions and blaming America and West for Ukraine’s assistance. They also claimed they desired to see peaceful outcomes but did nothing.