Putin and Xi , Meet to Show Solidarity , As Crisis Over Ukraine Continues.br On February 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin br met with China's Xi Jinping in a show br of solidarity amid a crisis over Ukraine. .br On February 4, Russian President Vladimir Putin br met with China's Xi Jinping in a show br of solidarity amid a crisis over Ukraine. .br 'The Washington Post' reports that both leaders br expressed opposition to NATO expansion while avoiding br directly mentioning the current conflict by name. .br 'The Washington Post' reports that both leaders br expressed opposition to NATO expansion while avoiding br directly mentioning the current conflict by name. .br According to a summary br of the meeting by state news br agency Xinhua, Xi said br that China and Russia , "firmly support each other br in safeguarding their br core interests.".br According to a summary br of the meeting by state news br agency Xinhua, Xi said br that China and Russia , "firmly support each other br in safeguarding their br core interests.".br 'The Washington Post' reports that Putin br announced a plan to build a new pipeline br in order to supply China with more gas.br 'The Washington Post' reports that Putin br announced a plan to build a new pipeline br in order to supply China with more gas.br Hours before the high-profile meeting, br the United States reportedly issued a warning br to China against helping Russia dodge sanctions. .br Hours before the high-profile meeting, br the United States reportedly issued a warning br to China against helping Russia dodge sanctions. .br According to 'The Washington Post,' Western officials have br said those sanctions might include penalties on Russian br financial institutions or curbs on technology exports. .br They could also include br personal sanctions leveled against br Kremlin leaders and their associates. .br They could also include br personal sanctions leveled against br Kremlin leaders and their associates. .br Analysts have expressed fear that China's br support could embolden Russia, which has amassed br more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. .br Analysts have expressed fear that China's br support could embolden Russia, which has amassed br more than 100,000 troops near Ukraine's borders. .br The 'Washington Post' reports that in 2008, the last time br China hosted the Olympics, Russia invaded Georgia br while Putin attended that event's Opening Ceremony. .br The 'Washington Post' reports that in 2008, the last time br China hosted the Olympics, Russia invaded Georgia br while Putin attended that event's Opening Ceremony. .br Efforts to resolve the standoff diplomatically br have been stalled as both sides have br refused to compromise on key issues. .br Efforts to resolve the standoff diplomatically br have been stalled as both sides have br refused to compromise on key issues.