State Department warns Russia, China alliance to backfill severe economic sanctions will fail: ‘Putin knows’ 

Caitlin McFall | Fox News

 

The State Department on Thursday warned that, if Russia invades Ukraine, any attempts to offset harsh sanctions against the Kremlin by bolstering the Russia-China alliance will be insufficient. 

The U.S. and NATO have vowed swift and severe economic sanctions if Russian President Vladimir Putin violates the former Soviet nation’s sovereignty.

Reports surfaced Thursday alleging that Russia may be looking to expand its trade deals with China, particularly in the energy sector, as it evaluates the potential inability to use its coveted Nord Stream 2 Pipeline to funnel natural gas into Europe. 

“If Russia thinks that it will be in a position to make up some of those consequences … by a closer relationship with the PRC [People’s Republic of China], that is not the case,” State Department press secretary Ned Price said. Read more and see video here.