Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Wednesday that the country’s intelligence had information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting alongside the Russian Armed Forces.
The Ukrainian leader spoke to reporters after the capture of two Chinese citizens in the east of the country, where Russian troops advanced.
He said he expects the United States to talk to Moscow about sending Chinese citizens to the battlefield.
Zelensky reported that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens through social media, that China’s authorities were aware of this, and that Ukraine’s security service had compiled lists of names, dates and the Russian military units for which they were assigned.
Kiev was trying to evaluate if the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing, he said.
“The Chinese question is serious,” said Zelensky. “There are 155 people with passport names and data – 155 Chinese citizens who are fighting Ukrainians in the Ukrainian territory. We are collecting information and we believe there is more, much more.”
The president of Ukraine stated that the country was prepared to exchange citizens captured by currently detained Ukrainian military.
Reuters, a news agency, failed to verify the allegations independently.
China, which declared a “boundless” partnership with Russia, tried to position itself as an author in attempts to negotiate the end of the war. The country has refrained from criticizing the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022.
On Wednesday (9), China’s Foreign Ministry rejected Zelensky’s statements, calling them “unfounded”, the information that more Chinese citizens were in front of the Russians.
“Ukraine must correctly face China’s efforts and constructive role in the search for a political solution to the Ukrainian crisis,” Ministry spokesman Lin Jian told a regular press conference.
China was checking the situation with Ukraine, he said, adding that the government always demanded that citizens avoid armed conflict areas and “especially to avoid participating in military operations from anywhere.”
China reaffirmed his support on Thursday to peace efforts in Ukraine and said relevant parts should avoid “irresponsible comments,” in an apparent criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky about Chinese citizens fighting Russia.
“Russia’s error in the war”
Zelensky condemned the sending of Chinese citizens as Russia’s “second mistake”, after which Ukraine and Western countries described as the sending of more than more than
“The US is clearly seeing the actions undertaken by Russia today,” he said. “I don’t understand why the United States is not energetically responding to Russia. There is nothing in terms of diplomacy or statements.”
Russia made no public commentary on the Ukrainian President’s statements about Chinese combatants and has never explicitly confirmed the sending of North Korean troops to the Kursk region.
The head of the American forces in Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, confirmed at a congressional audience on Wednesday (9) that AE said that any Russian success in the European offensive would encourage China in his own offensive ambitions.
In other comments, Zelensky said he believed that the US president, referring to Russia’s rejection to a US proposal last month of declaring a total ceasefire and continuing attacks against Ukrainian targets.
“I believe Trump is annoyed because (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is not fulfilling what he promised,” said Zelensky. “We don’t know everything they have talked about, but we know a lot. And we really hope there is a reaction.”
The Ukrainian President also said that a meeting scheduled for this week in the United States to discuss agreements would focus on the technical aspects and foundations of a future agreement.
Zelensky said the deal should be profitable for both parties and can be structured to help modernize Ukraine.
