US calls on China to persuade Russia to stop the war

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen urged China on Wednesday to persuade Russia to end its war in Ukraine and warned that staying on the sidelines could jeopardize China’s standing in the global economy.

She spoke amid growing frustration from the United States and its allies that China has refused to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. Instead the two countries have solidified a “special relationship.” The United States has been watching with concern to see if China will help Russia evade sanctions and stabilize its economy.

“Going forward, it will be increasingly difficult to separate economic issues from broader considerations of national interest, including national security,” Ms. Yellen said in a speech to the Atlantic Council, a think tank. “The world’s attitude towards China and its willingness to embrace further economic integration may well be affected by China’s reaction to our call for resolute action on Russia.”

Ms. Yellen added that Russia’s actions were at odds with China’s longstanding public commitments to sovereignty and territorial integrity and called on China to use its influence with Russia to end the war.