Beijing did respond to an assertion last week by Zelensky that Chinese nationals were fighting for Russia by advising "relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand China's role and not to make irresponsible remarks".

Responding on Thursday, a Chinese government spokesman said they "advise relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand China's role and not to make irresponsible remarks".

“I can give you seven or eight categories in the budget that we have to consider soberly, and that’s one of them.”

It’s a whim because he plainly hasn’t pondered soberly the obstacles in the way.

Fun though it may be to pretend Fox News host Jeanine Pirro guzzles a box of wine before “The Five” cameras go live, on Thursday’s episode she was soberly carrying her Orange Leader’s water.