Ukraine has imposed sanctions on three Chinese companies, alleging they are involved in the production of advanced Iskander missiles, a day after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy accused China of supplying weapons to Russia. The move comes as Ukraine and its allies seek to hold Beijing accountable for any support it may be providing to Moscow during the ongoing conflict.
Zelenskiy’s administration has published an updated list of sanctioned entities, which includes Chinese companies Beijing Aviation And Aerospace Xianghui Technology Co. Ltd, Rui Jin Machinery Co. Ltd, and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining Co. Ltd. The list also names Russian companies, with many of the entities involved in the production of Iskander missiles.
The sanctions ban companies from doing business in Ukraine and freeze their assets there. Despite its efforts to maintain a neutral stance, China has close economic ties with Russia, which has sparked concerns about Beijing’s involvement in the conflict.
In recent days, Zelenskiy has made several accusations against China, including claims that Chinese nationals are fighting on Russia’s side in the war and that Beijing is supplying artillery and gunpowder to Moscow. However, Ukrainian officials have disputed these assertions, saying that Chinese nationals who were reportedly fighting with Russian forces did so of their own initiative.
Ukraine exported $8 billion worth of goods to China in 2021, mostly raw materials and agricultural products, while it imported around $11 billion mainly manufactured goods from the country. The sanctions imposed by Ukraine are likely to have significant implications for China’s trade relations with Ukraine.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-hits-chinese-firms-with-sanctions-after-accusing-beijing-arming-russia-2025-04-18