China: We Do Not Accept Providing Lethal Weapons
Russia has not supplied “lethal weapons” in the war in Ukraine, rejecting accusations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in this regard.
This comes as Kyiv intensifies its criticisms of Beijing; on Thursday, Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of “supplying Russia with weapons and participating in the production of some weapons” on Russian territory.
The Ukrainian president did not specify his accusations but referred to “gunpowder and artillery,” asserting that more information would be revealed “next week.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated: “China has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict, and strictly monitors dual-use materials,” which can be used for both civilian and military purposes.
During a regular press conference, he added: “The Ukrainian side is fully aware of this, and it has publicly stated that most of the spare parts for weapons imported by Russia come from the United States and other Western countries.”
Lin Jian also reaffirmed that “China strongly opposes arbitrary claims and political maneuvering.”
Ukraine announced last week that it had arrested Chinese citizens who were fighting alongside the Russian army. Zelensky accused China of being “involved” in the conflict, allegations that Beijing denied, calling them “baseless.”
The Ukrainian president also confirmed that “hundreds” of Chinese citizens are fighting in the ranks of the Russian army in Ukraine.
China regularly calls for peace talks and respect for the territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine.
However, it has never condemned Russia and has strengthened its economic, diplomatic, and military relations with Moscow since the beginning of the Russian invasion in February 2022.
China is accused of helping Russia to evade Western sanctions by allowing it to obtain the technological components necessary for producing military equipment.
This is the first time that Volodymyr Zelensky has directly accused China of supplying Moscow with weapons.
