U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told lawmakers on Wednesday that China was "very carefully" watching how Washington and the world respond to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the impact of which he said was being felt in Asia.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticizes a ceasefire proposal in the Ukraine war put forward by Beijing, warning that China's President Xi may use his visit to Russia this week to reiterate his call for a ceasefire under its peace proposal.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in Moscow for about four and a half hours on Sunday, according to Russian state media reports.

It could “open a Pandora’s box” for would-be aggressors and lead to a “world of conflict", he tells lawmakers. Read more at straitstimes.com.

STORY: Speaking on the heels of a visit to Moscow by Chinese President Xi Jinping, Blinken said if Russia was allowed to attack its neighbor with impunity, it would "open a Pandora's box" for would-be aggressors and lead to a "world of conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping leave after a reception in honor of the Chinese leader's visit to Moscow, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia March 21, 2023. Sputnik/Pav

Xi Jinping is expected to talk to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after returning from Moscow. Putin warns U.K. over depleted uranium shells.