US to hold high-level talks with China over war in Ukraine

Jake Sullivan says he does not wish to 'brandish threats' against Beijing, but 'sanctions-evasion efforts' would lead to consequences

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan will travel to Rome for talks with a senior Chinese official on Monday. AP

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A high-level US delegation will meet in Rome on Monday with a top Chinese official, the White House said, as it warned Beijing would face severe "consequences" if it helps Russia evade sanctions over its war in Ukraine.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Yang Jiechi, the Chinese Communist Party's chief diplomat, "will discuss ongoing efforts to manage the competition between our two countries and discuss the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on regional and global security", National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said on Sunday in a statement.

A satellite image shows homes and buildings in Mariupol, Ukraine, in February, before Russia's invasion. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

A satellite image shows destroyed homes and buildings in Mariupol on March 9. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

Grocery stores and shopping malls in Mariupol in February before Russia's invasion. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

A satellite image shows destroyed grocery stores and shopping malls in Mariupol on March 9 amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Maxar Technologies via Reuters

The Portcity shopping mall and other stores in Mariupol in February before the Russian invasion. Maxar Technologies via AP

The heavily damaged Portcity shopping mall and other stores in Mariupol on March 9. Maxar Technologies via AP

Beijing has declined to directly condemn Moscow for launching its invasion, and has repeatedly blamed Nato's "eastward expansion" for worsening tensions between Russia and Ukraine, echoing the Kremlin's prime security grievance.

Mr Sullivan made a round of Sunday talk shows to say the White House was "watching closely" to see whether China provided material or economic support to Russia to help it evade the punishing impact of sanctions.

"It is a concern of ours, and we have communicated to Beijing that we will not stand by and allow any country to compensate Russia for its losses from the economic sanctions," he said on CNN's show State of the Union.

Mr Sullivan said that while he did not wish to "brandish threats" against major economic rival China, "we are communicating directly, privately to Beijing that there will absolutely be consequences for large-scale sanctions-evasion efforts".

Beijing said this past week that its friendship with Russia remains "rock solid" despite international condemnation of Moscow, and has expressed an openness to help mediate an end to the war.