U.S. and China Defense Officials Hold a Rare Call to Discuss Ukraine, Security Issues
- Biden officials don’t want China to aid Russia in Ukraine war
- Chinese officials have called for deepening ties with Moscow
Locals walk amid debris of a charred Russian tank in the village of Zalissya, northeast of Kyiv, on April 19.
Photographer: Genya Savilov/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a rare call on Wednesday with his counterpart in China, Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, to discuss the situation in Ukraine and other security issues, according to a U.S. statement.
A Chinese statement confirmed the Ukraine discussion, saying Wei urged the U.S. to refrain from using Ukraine to “smear” China. It also said Wei urged the U.S. to stop military provocations at sea.