Biden team hardens view of China tilting toward Putin on Ukraine

US President is set to speak by phone with China's President on Friday morning, with US misgivings about China's stance over Ukraine high on the agenda

China’s muted response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has hardened views within the Biden administration that President Xi Jinping may be moving closer to supporting Moscow as the conflict continues, according to several people familiar with the matter.

Even as the Chinese government publicly voices some support for the Ukrainian people and calls for a peaceful solution, top American officials see signs that China is seeking ways to soften the blow of sanctions imposed on Russia by the U.S. and its allies, according to the people, who say they have knowledge of deliberations in Beijing.

The people, who asked not to be