Biden, China's Xi Hold First Call Since Russia Invaded Ukraine

President Joe Biden spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping for nearly two hours on a video call Friday about Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine and China's position on it.

According to a readout of the call from China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi told Biden that the "Ukraine crisis is not something we want to see" and that the U.S. and China must "shoulder our share of international responsibilities and work for world peace." The White House has yet to release details of the call as of Friday afternoon. The meeting comes days after China reportedly expressed openness to providing Russia with requested military and financial aid for the invasion. China has not formally condemned the invasion and was one of 35 U.N. member nations that abstained from denouncing it. Hours before the Biden-Xi call, Taiwan's Defence Ministry said a Chinese aircraft carrier sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait. Russia's Ukraine invasion and the fact that China hasn't formally opposed it are stoking fears that China could similarly try to forcibly take over Taiwan.

Voices on all sides analyzed China's role in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Most sources across the spectrum highlighted the Biden administration saying before the call that Biden planned to pressure Xi about his position on the invasion and reports about China potentially assisting Russia. Right-rated voices are more emphatic in urging Biden to be tougher on China. The New York Post reported that Biden called Xi "to request help" on Russia.