"The report in the New York Times is fake news. These kinds of blame-shifting, diversionary remarks are completely reprehensible," Wang Wenbin said.
Digital Desk: China dismissed a report that stated that it encouraged Russia to postpone its invasion of Ukraine until after the Winter Olympics in Beijing. Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, also reiterated China's claims that the United States caused the conflict by not ruling out Ukraine's participation in NATO.
"Instead of blaming others, we hope the perpetrators of the crisis reflect on their involvement in the Ukraine crisis, accept their duties, and take meaningful steps to lighten the situation and solve the problem," Wang told reporters.
"The report in the New York Times is fake news. These kinds of blame-shifting, diversionary remarks are completely reprehensible," he added.
On Wednesday, the New York Times reports that Chinese authorities warned senior Russian officials not to attack Ukraine before the Winter Olympics, citing senior officials in US President Joe Biden's cabinet as well as a European official.
According to the Times report, Beijing had direct information of Russia's military plans or intentions before the invasion began last Thursday, notably four days after the Olympics ended.
Notably, Putin was the first international leader to meet Xi in nearly two years; moreover, he was a special guest of honour at the Winter Games opening ceremony.
On Wednesday, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution denouncing Moscow's incursion and demanding that Russia "immediately" withdraw from Ukraine.
China was one of 35 countries that abstained, with only five countries including North Korea, Syria, Belarus, and Russia voting against it.
On the other hand, United Nations stated that the war had forced over one million people to escape Ukraine.
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