The US warned China against cooperation with Russia

Photo: Vidant Patel

< p>The US has warned China that its cooperation with Russia jeopardizes Beijing's relations with the US and Europe.

"If China wants to maintain good relations with Europe and other countries, it cannot continue fuel the biggest threat to European security, namely Russian aggression in Ukraine"– said State Department spokesman Vidant Patel.

"That this is important – this is not only the position of the United States, but also the clearly expressed position of our G7 partners, our NATO and EU partners,– he continued.

"If the PRC stops supporting Russia, it will be difficult for Russia to continue military action against Ukraine, and no country should provide Putin with a platform to promote his war of aggression against Ukraine,", – Patel explained.

"We cannot return to business as usual or turn a blind eye to the clear violations of international law that Russia has committed,", – he indicated.

The US statement appeared simultaneously with the message from the Chinese Foreign Ministry that Russian President Vladimir Putin will pay an official visit to China this week.

Putin will arrive in Beijing on Thursday 16 May for a two-day visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the ministry said.

This will be Putin's first foreign visit since being re-elected to a fifth term in March and his second visit to China in six months.

In October he came to Beijing to participate in the One Belt Forum – one way” – Xi Jinping Initiative, launched in 2013 to expand trade and investment by improving China's transport links with the rest of the world.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga