China Denies Report of Comments on Russia During U.S. Visit

China denied a Financial Times report that its president told the U.S. president that Russia might ultimately regret its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson called the report completely false at a Tuesday press conference. The statement was also posted on social media.

The Financial Times had reported the comments were made during the U.S. president’s visit to China last week. The report cited people familiar with the American assessment of the meeting. The White House has not commented on the reported conversation.

China has remained a close ally to Russia since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The two countries signed a no-limits partnership deal shortly before the invasion began.

The Chinese president is expected to meet with the Russian leader on Wednesday. The meeting comes about one week after the reported discussion with the U.S. president. Bloomberg reported on Monday that the Chinese president is expected to discuss a possible natural gas pipeline with Russia.

The pipeline would deepen economic ties amid weeks of energy disruption caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The U.S. president also reportedly suggested that the Chinese and Russian leaders could join with the U.S. to counter the International Criminal Court. The court is based in The Hague and has drawn criticism from the U.S. administration. The U.S. president sanctioned the court shortly after taking office last year for what he called illegitimate and baseless actions targeting America and a close ally.