JOE Biden has told China that if they help Putin's invasion of Ukraine they will face "consequences".

       The US president talked for almost two hours in a call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a bid to deter the leader from helping Vladimir Putin.

       2

       Joe Biden had a two-hour video call with President Xi Jinping of China Credit: BackGrid 2

       China has publicly taken a neutral stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine Credit: Eyevine

       While President Xi has publicly said China are taking a neutral stance, the US are worried after Russia reportedly asked the Asian powerhouse for military assistance.

       The White House said the two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining open lines of communication between the two countries, reports Sky News.

       An official statement from the White House said that Biden had laid out efforts to prevent and then respond to the invasion, including by sanctioning Russia.

       It read: "He described the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia as it conducts brutal attacks against Ukrainian cities and civilians.

       Read More in World News

       'HUMILIATING' Russian troops' morale collapsing as Ukraine 'wipes the floor with them'

       LIGHT SPEED NASA's mega moon rocket moves onto launchpad ready for blast this summer

       "The president underscored his support for a diplomatic resolution to the crisis."

       However, the statement did not lay out any details on the "implications" or "consequences" that Biden mentioned.

       According to Chinese state media, Xi said: "The top priorities now are to continue dialogue and negotiations, avoid civilian casualties, prevent a humanitarian crisis, cease fighting and end the war as soon as possible."

       He also added that the US and NATO should have discussions with Russia to solve the "crux" of the crisis.

       China earlier accused the US of provoking Russia and fuelling the conflict by sending arms to Ukraine.

       Foreign ministry spokesperson, Zhao Lijian, told reporters: "China has called for every effort to avoid civilian casualties all the time,"

       "Which do the civilians in Ukraine need more: food and sleeping bags or machine guns and artillery? It's easy to answer."

       Most read in News

       DRIVE BY Shocking moment driver opens fire from behind wheel as BMW 4x4 tears down street

       VLAD'S GOING ON? Moment Putin has speech mysteriously cut off during rally in Russia

       DIRECT HIT Moment Ukrainians with laser-guided missiles and Javelins blow up Russian tanks

       SICK VLAD Nine chilling signs Putin is ‘suffering serious disease & on verge of breakdown’

       The call between the leaders of the world's two largest economies was the latest diplomatic attempt to end Russia's war against its neighbour.

       A senior US official said: “The two leaders spent the preponderance of their time discussing Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine, as well as the implications of the crisis for US-China relations and the international order.”

       Recently, Biden described Putin as a “murderous dictator” as his administration joined a host of other countries in accusing Russia of war crimes.

       Read More on The Sun

       VLAD'S GOING ON? Moment Putin has speech mysteriously cut off during rally in Russia

       GOLDEN GIRL Rachael Blackmore makes history to become first female winner of Gold Cup

       However, Russian leader Mr Putin has not called his military offensive a "war", instead referring to it as a "special military operation".

       Earlier on Friday, Putin held a massive pro-war rally for the "reunification" of Crimea in front of a packed World Cup stadium.