Although China maintains that it plays a mediator role amid the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned that Washington would impose consequences if Beijing provided direct support to Moscow economically and militarily. The remarks came a day before President Joe Biden’s phone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss urgent issues, including China’s stance on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the White House. The president “will make clear that China will bear responsibility for any actions it takes to support Russia’s aggression,” Blinken said during a March 17 press briefing. “And we will not hesitate to impose costs,” he said, without specifying the type of costs that will be used. Blinken said Beijing ought to defend the international laws, such as sovereignty and territorial integrity, that it pledges to support, and call off the Russian invasion as a close partner with President Vladimir Putin. …