Beijing rejects Zelensky’s accusations of Chinese weapon deliveries to Russia

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson categorically denied that China was supplying arms to Russia at a press briefing on Friday, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed to have “information” about Chinese weapon deliveries to Russia.

“The Chinese side has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict, and strictly controls dual-use items,” Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday in comments reported by AFP, stressing that Beijing’s position on the Ukraine issue was “consistent and clear” and that China had “always actively made efforts for a cessation of hostilities and peace talks”.

Zelensky said during a press briefing on Thursday that he had received information from the Security Service of Ukraine that China was sending “artillery” to Russia, without specifying the weapons involved. Zelensky added that some Chinese weapons were being produced on Russian territory, something he said Kyiv would be able to discuss in greater detail next week.

This is the second time this month that Zelensky has challenged Beijing over its stated neutrality in the war in Ukraine. Last week, Zelensky accused Russia of recruiting Chinese citizens to serve in its military via TikTok and other social media last week, shortly after revealing that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese citizens fighting for Russia in eastern Ukraine.

Responding to those claims, Beijing denied providing troops to fight in Ukraine, stressing that it always advised Chinese nationals to avoid “any form of involvement” in foreign conflicts.