Beijing reacts to Zelenskyy's accusations on arms transfers to Russia
Photo: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian (Getty Images)
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian has criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who said that Beijing was supplying weapons to Russia. China called Zelenskyy's words "groundless".
The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson claims that Beijing has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the "Ukrainian crisis" (as China calls the war that Russia has unleashed against Ukraine).
Lin Jian called the Ukrainian president's statement about China "groundless".
Zelenskyy accuses China of supplying weapons to Russia
On Thursday, April 17, at a briefing, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that information had emerged confirming that China was supplying weapons to Russia.
“Today, we have information from the Security Service of Ukraine and intelligence about gunpowder and artillery,” Zelenskyy said.
He also added that there is evidence that Chinese representatives are engaged in weapons production in Russia.
China's position on the war in Ukraine
China claims to be neutral on Russia's war against Ukraine. Nevertheless, Beijing continues to cooperate with Moscow in the economic sphere actively.
It is known that Chinese companies continued to supply dual-use goods to Russia during the full-scale war. In particular, they can be used for weapons production.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke on the phone only once during the full-scale war. It happened almost two years ago, in April 2023.
Previously reported that Ukrainian soldiers recently captured two occupiers who turned out to be Chinese citizens.
