WASHINGTON (Reuters] – China may offer assistance to Russia’s economy following Moscow’s invasion in Ukraine. However, it will be engaged in a “dance” to keep economic ties with Europe, the White House said Friday.

The United States warns of serious consequences if Beijing provides material support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and/or offers an economic rescue to Moscow in face of Western sanctions.

Mira Rapp-Hooper was the White House National Security Council’s director for Indo-Pacific. She said that while it is possible to create a wedge in Russia and China, that would prove difficult. However, Beijing wouldn’t be happy with Russian President Vladimir Putin trying to wage war on them.

Rapp-Hooper stated that it was unlikely to see Beijing and Moscow fully united. “China is not comfortable with being burdened by Vladimir Putin’s unequal and unjustified war.

She stated that she expected to see continued Chinese support for Russia’s economy. However, Beijing is trying to maintain its economic ties with the United States and the European Union.

China and Russia signed a partnership “without limits”, in which they promised more cooperation against the West.

However, Western countries are closing Russia’s economy off from the global financial market, forcing international corporations to stop sales and cut ties, as well as dump billions in investments.

China repeatedly opposed the sanctions. It called them ineffective, and insists it will keep normal economic and commercial relations with Russia.

Joe Biden of the United States spoke to China’s President Xi Jinping on Thursday. He stated that China is more aware of its economic future being tied to Russia than it is to the West.

Moscow describes its actions in Ukraine as a “special military operations” that aims to “denazify and demilitarize Ukraine. The West and Ukraine claim that Putin started an unprovoked conflict of interest.