China on wrong side of history for backing Russian interests amid war, U.S. warns

Chinese President Xi Jinping declared his support for Russia’s “sovereignty and security” during a Wednesday phone call with Vladimir Putin, prompting a swift U.S. rebuke that nations siding with the Russian leader over the Ukraine war will be “on the wrong side of history.”

Since the Kremlin’s troops entered Ukraine on Feb. 24, Beijing has refused to condemn the invasion. Instead, it is walking the line between keeping up ties with its most important strategic partner while being careful not to run afoul of Western sanctions.