Chinese FM reacts to US' threats about helping Russia

The United States should reflect on its erroneous actions on the Ukrainian issue and help create conditions for peace talks, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian. At the same time, he called unacceptable threats against Beijing from Washington.

Earlier, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the Chinese authorities would have to pay a "very high price" if Beijing helped Moscow circumvent sanctions. At the same time, he stressed that the Americans are not yet observing such actions, but are closely monitoring compliance with the sanctions regime.

Commenting on this statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry stressed that they have always advocated an objective and impartial approach to the Ukrainian issue.

"We have also always opposed illegal unilateral sanctions and extraterritorial jurisdiction, which have no basis in international law," Zhao added.

He noted that Price's statements were made in the manner of a "world gendarme". At the same time, Zhao Lijian called the American authorities the instigator and driving force behind the confrontation in Ukraine and accused them of provoking a new Cold War.

"The United States must show responsibility and contribute to the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis in an appropriate way, as well as create the necessary conditions and environment for peace talks between the parties concerned," the diplomat said.