Ukrainian President Zelensky stated at a press conference in Kyiv on Thursday (April 17) that intelligence obtained by Ukraine indicates that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is supplying artillery and explosives to Russia.
“We have received intelligence regarding China (CCP) providing weapons to the Russian Federation,” Zelensky said. He added, “We believe that Chinese personnel are involved in manufacturing certain weapons within Russian territory.”
On the surface, the CCP has maintained a neutral stance on the three-year war sparked by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine has previously called on China to leverage its influence on Russia to push for a peaceful resolution.
Zelensky affirmed, “We have concrete evidence of cooperation between China and Russia to strengthen military capabilities.” He also disclosed that CCP leader Xi Jinping assured him that Beijing would not sell or provide weapons to Moscow, a statement that left him extremely disappointed.
These accusations could further worsen the already tense relationship between Kyiv and Beijing due to the Chinese prisoner of war incident. Earlier this month, Ukraine publicly displayed two captured Chinese soldiers. Zelensky posted on social media, “The intelligence we have indicates that there are far more than two Chinese citizens in the occupying forces. We are currently investigating all the facts.”
He stated, “I have instructed the Ukrainian Foreign Minister to immediately contact Beijing to understand how China will respond to this.”
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated on Tuesday that they are “verifying the situation” and condemned the so-called “manipulation and speculation.”
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense recently arranged for the captured Chinese soldiers to appear at a press conference, where under armed guard, they expressed a desire to participate in a prisoner exchange and advised other Chinese not to join the Russian military.
Zelensky later mentioned that hundreds of Chinese citizens are fighting alongside the Russian military on the front lines.
Lin Jian stated that China will handle individual behaviors and consular cases of Chinese citizens overseas in accordance with the law.
Despite the CCP claiming neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO member countries have long considered Beijing a “key supporter” in this conflict, as the CCP has never condemned Russia’s aggressive actions.
(This article referenced reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse)