China has reiterated its commitment to supporting peace efforts in Ukraine while urging relevant parties to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks.” This statement comes as an apparent response to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s assertion that Ukrainian forces have captured Chinese nationals fighting alongside the Russian military.
The foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian firmly stated that China is neither the initiator nor a participating party in the Ukrainian crisis. He emphasized China’s role as a steadfast supporter and active promoter of a peaceful resolution.
Without directly naming President Zelenskiy, Lin Jian called on concerned parties to “correctly and soberly understand the role of China and to not release irresponsible remarks” during a regular news conference.
Meanwhile, despite its declared “no-limits” partnership with Russia, China has attempted to position itself as a neutral actor in facilitating negotiations to end the war in Ukraine. Beijing has notably refrained from publicly criticizing Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
Zelenskiy’s Allegations of Russian Recruitment and Chinese Awareness
President Zelenskiy claimed that Russia is actively recruiting Chinese citizens through social media platforms. He further alleged that Chinese officials are aware of this recruitment and that Ukraine’s security service has compiled lists containing the names, birth dates, and Russian military units of these individuals.
Zelenskiy also stated that Ukraine is currently investigating whether the Chinese recruits have been receiving direct instructions or support from Beijing. While Reuters reported that it could not independently verify Zelenskiy’s claims, China’s foreign ministry dismissed them on the preceding Wednesday as “groundless.”
Zelenskiy Deems Chinese Deployment Russia’s “Second Mistake” After North Korean Involvement
President Zelenskiy characterized the deployment of Chinese nationals as Russia’s “second mistake” in the ongoing war. He drew a parallel to what Ukraine and Western nations have described as the deployment of over 11,000 North Korean troops to Russia’s Kursk region, highlighting the internationalization of the conflict through the involvement of foreign fighters.
To date, Russia has made no public statements or official comments regarding President Zelenskiy’s claims about Chinese fighters. Similarly, Moscow has never explicitly confirmed the alleged deployment of North Korean troops in its Kursk region, maintaining a consistent silence on the matter of foreign fighters within its ranks.
