 "This handout video grab published on the official Telegram channel of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on April 8, 2025 shows, according to the Ukrainian president, one of two Chinese soldiers he said were captured by Ukrainian forces in the Donetsk region. Image- AFP")
Russia on Thursday said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was “wrong” to suggest that China is part of the war after he claimed that many Chinese nationals are fighting for Moscow.
“Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in a briefing call.
Beijing, similarly, slammed Zelenskyy for claiming that its citizens are fighting in the war, saying that he made “irresponsible remarks”.
Zelenskyy said on Wednesday that Kyiv had details of 155 Chinese nationals who had been deployed to assist Moscow’s invasion, a day after claiming the Ukrainian army had captured two Chinese soldiers in the eastern Donetsk region.
Asked about Zelenskyy’s assertion on Thursday, Beijing’s foreign ministry told “relevant parties” to “refrain from expressing irresponsible remarks”.
“We would advise the relevant parties to recognise China’s role correctly and clear-headedly,” ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a regular news briefing, without mentioning Ukraine or Zelenskyy by name.
The development comes ahead of a meeting between Ukraine and the US next week, where Kyiv will push for a ceasefire. Despite China and Russia refuting Zelenskyy’s claim, the Ukrainian leader has said that his country is ready to release the captured Chinese citizens in exchange for Ukrainian POWs held in Russia.
A document shared with AFP by a senior Ukrainian official contained the alleged names and passport details of 168 Chinese citizens that Kyiv said had been recruited by Russia’s army, according to its intelligence.
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More ShortsWith inputs from agencies