Ukraine’s Zelensky has ‘information’ China is supplying arms to Russia

KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 17 he had “information” that China was supplying weapons to Russia, amid an escalating row between Kyiv and Beijing over China’s support for Moscow.

Mr Zelensky said on April 9 that

Kyiv knew of at least 155 Chinese nationals

deployed to assist in Moscow’s invasion, a day after claiming the Ukrainian army had

captured two Chinese soldiers

in the eastern Donetsk region.

“We have finally received information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation,” Mr Zelensky told journalists at a press conference in Kyiv.

“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on Russian territory,” he added.

Mr Zelensky did not elaborate on his accusations, saying only that Kyiv was “ready” to talk about them in detail.

However, Beijing on April 18 denied giving any party in the Ukraine war lethal weapons.

“The Chinese side has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict, and strictly controls dual-use items,” China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said.

Beijing said that its “position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear”. Mr Lin said: “We have always actively made efforts for a cessation of hostilities and peace talks.”

China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in the three-year war, despite criticism from Western governments that its close ties to Russia have given Moscow crucial economic and diplomatic support.

Beijing pushed back at Ukraine’s claims last week, calling for all sides in the conflict to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks”. AFP