Ukraine President Volodmir Zelensky said on Tuesday, 8, had captured two Chinese fighting alongside the Russians in the Donetsk region. He accused Russia of trying to involve China in the conflict, said that there are more Chinese in front of battle and demanded explanations of Beijing.
On Telegram, Zelensky wrote that the two were captured in Donetsk, Ukrainian territory almost all occupied by Russia. He said he instructed his chancellor, Andrii Sibiha, demanding answers from China. Beijing did not comment on the subject.
“Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened in the Ukrainian territory in the Donetsk region. We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards and personal data,” Zelensky wrote, posting images of one of the captured.
According to the Ukrainian chancellor, however, the captured combatants were “seduced by a contract” with Russia and are not part of the regular army. “We consider them military because they are occupant army soldiers (Russia),” said Sibiha. “We are clarifying if they have military experience and what Peja thinks.”
Unlike North Korea, which sent more than 10,000 soldiers, missiles and equipment to Russia, the participation of troops from China is still surrounded by mystery, with reports from Chinese who voluntarily decided to fight alongside the Russians. “We are strong, but we cannot fight several countries at the same time,” said Zelensky.
Partnership
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Shortly before the war began, Russia and China declared a “boundary” partnership. Since then, Chinese President Xi Jinping has given Kremlin diplomatic and economic coverage, although avoiding providing lethal military aid. “The Chinese are fighting in Ukrainian territory. And this is an important point that we need to argue with our allies,” said Zelensky.
The incident occurs when the US try to intermediate a truce and reduce its financial involvement in the war, while intensifying an increasingly fierce trade war with Beijing. In a statement, Zelensky said the episode is a sign that Putin is not interested in ending the war.
“Russia’s involvement with China and other countries, either directly or indirectly, is a clear sign that Putin intends to do anything, but end the war. He is looking for ways to continue fighting,” said the president of Ukraine.
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Chinese soldiers’ capture occurs two months after the first connection between Xi and Putin since Donald Trump gave a wooden horse in US foreign policy and became moscow. The call, made on the same day that the conflict in Ukraine completed his third year, was a message from Beijing that his relations with Russia would not be affected by the pressure of the White House.
The Chinese government claims to be a neutral part in the conflict. Russia, however, makes frequent use of China components in its weapons – although Ukraine also uses Chinese equipment to improve its drones.
Involvement
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Citizens of about 70 countries, including US, United Kingdom and Brazil, fought alongside the Ukraine Armed Forces. Some units, such as the Azov Brigade, have been constantly sought to recruit foreigners to reinforce their forces, which have been running out quickly after more than three years of war. (With international agencies)
