By Trevor Hunnicutt

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – U.S. President Joe Biden said to Chinese President Xi Jinping Friday that Beijing must pay a heavy price for supporting Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. The warning came at a time when tensions are growing between the countries.

Biden and Xi will talk by telephone, at 9 a.m. Eastern Time (1300 GMT). Washington already has threatened lower-ranking Chinese officials publicly and privately that more support for Russia could lead to Beijing’s isolation.

Biden and Xi’s conversation, which will be their first since November 11, is bound to bring out tension.

Biden will make it clear to China that Russia will take responsibility for its actions in support of Russia’s aggression. We will also not hesitate to impose cost,” U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken stated on Thursday.

He said, “We are concerned that Russia is considering directly supporting Ukraine with military equipment for use in Ukraine.”

China denied these plans.

Washington also worries that China might help Russia bypass economic sanctions placed by the West.

The fourth week of Russia’s invasion in Ukraine has seen hundreds of deaths, destruction of large areas of cities, and an increase in humanitarian crises as thousands flee Ukraine.

The new U.S.-Chinese relations have also been a source of contention. This deflated Biden’s original hopes for easing a range of conflicts by using a personal relationship with Xi, which predates his term.

Xi was warmly greeted by Biden during the initial moments of a November videoconference. Biden was a “old friend”, Xi said.

The U.S. government is increasingly viewing relations with Beijing as if they are in competition.

Washington believes China is growing closer to Russia following the announcement by Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin of a strategic partnership that “no limit” last month.

China refused to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine and called it an invasion. It has also censored any online content that was pro-West or hostile to Russia.

While Beijing recognizes Ukraine’s sovereignty, it has stated that Russia also has legitimate security concerns and should be addressed. Beijing has called for a diplomatic resolution to this conflict.

Officials have become more comfortable with the possibility that China will help Russia in Ukraine’s conflict, despite Biden’s threats of unspecified countermeasures.

One person who was part of those discussions said that the United States has not decided what specific steps it will take to counter China.

Given China’s position as the largest economy in the world and its exports, the United States would likely target Beijing under the same economic sanctions that were imposed against Russia.

Officials described Monday’s meeting in Rome between Biden’s lower-ranking aides and Xi as “tough and intense” after it lasted seven hours.

Biden’s administration is yet to offer evidence supporting the claim that China indicated a desire to aid Russia.

Moscow denied asking China to provide military aid, while China’s foreign ministry called it “disinformation.”

Anton Siluanov (Russian Finance Minister) said this week that China would help Russia withstand Western sanctions to punish Russia. These Western sanctions were aimed at isolating Russia from the rest the world.

Biden and Xi will not be confined to European War.

Both leaders will also be expected to discuss the Iran nuclear talks and North Korea’s missile launches. Separate trade negotiations are being held by the United States and China.

This story is updated to reflect Thursday’s correct date in the fourth paragraph.