Beijing rejects Zelensky’s captured soldiers claims
Beijing has dismissed claims by Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky that a significant number of Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces against Kiev.
On Tuesday, Zelensky shared a brief video featuring an individual he claimed was a Chinese citizen captured during the conflict. He alleged that two such individuals are in Ukrainian custody, and that “significantly more” are currently serving with the Russian military.
Responding on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian branded the claims “groundless,” reiterating that Beijing consistently advises its citizens against participating in foreign armed conflicts in any capacity.
”China’s stance on the Ukrainian crisis is clear and unambiguous, and it has been widely acknowledged by the international community,” the spokesperson added.
Zelensky has further claimed that Russia is “involving China directly or indirectly” in the Ukraine conflict, and called for a swift response from the US and the EU. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the situation as “disturbing” and labeled China “a major enabler of Russia” in the conflict, emphasizing the urgency of President Donald Trump’s calls for a negotiated peace.
China has long denied Washington’s claims that its trade with Russia bolsters the latter’s military production, insisting that unlike Western nations it remains neutral in the conflict.
Last year, the administration of then-President Joe Biden referenced claims that North Korean troops were assisting in repelling a Ukrainian incursion into Russia’s Kursk Region to justify easing restrictions on the use of American-supplied weapons by Kiev. Moscow and Pyongyang have neither confirmed nor denied the reports.
Ukrainian MP Aleksandr Dubinsky, a Zelensky critic who is facing accusations of treason, has suggested that Kiev may be repeating a tactic of fabricating evidence. He posted a clip showing that the video file shared by Zelensky was originally named “Korean_Soldier_2.mp4,” although it has since been renamed. Ukrainian diplomats will have to explain to Beijing “whether it was fake or just a naming failure,” the lawmaker remarked.
Russian President Vladimir Putin last month agreed to Trump’s proposal for a 30-day moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure. According to Moscow, Kiev has violated the partial ceasefire on multiple occasions, which officials have described as proof of Zelensky’s lack of trustworthiness.
