Blinken, Borrell discuss Ukraine conflict, China

WASHINGTON

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a phone call Wednesday with EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, during which they discussed Russia's military buildup near Ukraine and a dispute between China and Lithuania.

Blinken and Borrell "affirmed their continued commitment to strengthen the US-EU partnership and work together to confront shared challenges,” according to a statement by State Department spokesman Ned Price.

"They emphasized the need for coordinated action to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and reaffirmed that any further Russian military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences for the Russian Federation," it added.

During the phone call, the two also talked about the "escalating political pressure and economic coercion" by China against Lithuania.

"They underscored our continuing solidarity with Lithuania in the face of the PRC’s coercive behavior and committed to work together to strengthen economic resilience," the statement said.

China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania last month following the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in the capital Vilnius under its own name, which angered Beijing.

WASHINGTON

During the phone call, the two also talked about the "escalating political pressure and economic coercion" by China against Lithuania.

"They underscored our continuing solidarity with Lithuania in the face of the PRC’s coercive behavior and committed to work together to strengthen economic resilience," the statement said.

China downgraded its diplomatic relations with Lithuania last month following the opening of a representative office by Taiwan in the capital Vilnius under its own name, which angered Beijing.