US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will discuss Russia’s war in Ukraine with Chinese officials during a trip to China on February 5-6, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Tuesday, AFP reported.

US Secretary of State Anthony BlinkenPhoto: Alex Brandon/AFP/Profimedia

Kirby told reporters that talks on a range of topics, such as the two countries’ militaries and climate change, were sidelined when China protested a visit to Taiwan last August by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Kirby said Blinken would try to spark discussion on those issues.

“I know he’s looking forward to addressing all of these issues, and of course the war in Ukraine will be among the issues that we can expect the secretary to raise while he’s there,” Kirby said.