Although China maintains that it plays a mediator role amid the Russia-Ukraine war, Washington noted on March 17 Beijing’s willingness to “directly” support 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,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a Thursday press conference. “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. “Instead, it appears that China is …