Zelenskyy Accuses China of Indifference as 155 Nationals Fight for Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has raised serious concerns regarding the involvement of Chinese nationals in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, stating that at least 155 individuals from China are reportedly fighting on behalf of Russia. In a recent briefing for reporters, Zelenskyy accused Beijing of overlooking the recruitment of these fighters and allowing their participation in the war against Ukraine.
During the briefing, Zelenskyy presented two dossiers, which included names and images of some Chinese nationals believed to have enlisted in the Russian military. However, he clarified that Ukraine does not allege that the Chinese government is directly intervening in the war alongside Russia.
"I am not aware that China has issued any command to those now fighting for Russia," Zelenskyy noted. "But we record that they [China] knew about it; these are Chinese citizens fighting against us on Ukrainian territory. Their motivations—whether for money or political reasons—remain unclear. But we will find out."
Zelenskyy suggested that the United States was taken aback by this alarming information and expressed that it is unacceptable for China to be complicit in any capacity amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Ukrainian intelligence has compiled a report detailing 13 Chinese soldiers, aged between 19 and 45, alongside their passport information. The second report provided insights into their Russian military units and dictated details of their recruitment. "The Chinese issue is serious. We have the names and passport details of 155 Chinese citizens involved in fighting against Ukrainians on Ukrainian territory. We suspect there may be many more," Zelenskyy asserted.
In response to the allegations, Chinese officials suggested that individuals may be joining the conflict of their own accord, emphasizing that the Chinese government advises its citizens to avoid active conflict zones and refrain from being part of any military operations. Lin Jian, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, stated, "The idea that there are significant numbers of Chinese citizens involved in the war is totally unfounded."
Despite China's claim of neutrality in the conflict, the reality paints a more complex picture. Russia heavily relies on Chinese-manufactured components for its arms industry, as does Ukraine. Both countries are using drones produced by the Chinese company DJI, although Ukraine is working to lessen its dependency on equipment sourced from China.
Zelenskyy disclosed that Russia has been attempting to recruit Chinese fighters through advertisements on platforms like TikTok and other Chinese social networks. These recruits typically travel to Russia, where they undergo medical examinations over several days before receiving one to two months of military training. Zelenskyy emphasized that these individuals are issued migration cards by Russian authorities, facilitating their access to an official payment system for compensation.
Additionally, Kyiv has identified two Chinese prisoners previously captured on the battlefield—Wang Guangjun, born in 1991, and Zhang Renbo, born in 1998—and expressed readiness to exchange them for Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.
As tensions heighten, Ukraine's relationship with the United States has become increasingly strained. Former President Donald Trump is pushing for a ceasefire to end the prolonged conflict; however, Zelenskyy may be banking on Trump’s aversion to China to help elevate Ukraine's negotiating stance in these complex times.
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