Ukraine has accused China of supporting Russia’s invasion, citing the capture of two Chinese men fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv had “information suggesting that there are many more Chinese citizens” involved, but did not confirm whether Beijing was directly ordering them.
The capture is seen as a significant development in the war, which has been ongoing since February 2022. China has maintained close ties with Russia and has not publicly condemned Moscow’s actions. The US has expressed concerns about China’s potential role in supporting Russia.
US President Donald Trump has sought to swiftly end the war, but his administration’s conciliatory stance towards the Kremlin has been criticized by Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have called on Washington to take a tougher stance on Russia during peace negotiations.
The incident raises tensions between China and the US, with Ukraine summoning China’s charge d’affaires in Ukraine to condemn the capture and demand an explanation. Beijing has declared a no-limits strategic partnership with Russia and is ready to play a role in settling the war in Ukraine. However, its direct involvement remains unclear.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/chinese-nationals-captured-fighting-russia-ukraine-zelenskiy-says-2025-04-08