Beijing denies Zelenskyy's accusations of supplying weapons to Russia

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, as quoted by Reuters, has responded to recent claims made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, denying that China has been supplying weapons to Russia.

According to Lin, China has not provided lethal weapons to either side of the conflict and strictly regulates dual-use goods that could potentially be used in weapon production. He called Zelenskyy’s statements “groundless,” pointing out that Ukraine itself has acknowledged that most components found in imported Russian weapons originate from the U.S. and other Western countries.

Lin stressed that China maintains a clear position on the conflict in Ukraine, consistently advocating for a ceasefire and peace negotiations. He added that China opposes unfounded accusations and political manipulation.

China’s position on the war in Ukraine

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Beijing has avoided directly condemning Moscow’s aggression. In March 2022, then-Foreign Minister Wang Yi described Russia as China’s “most important strategic partner.”

Although China has been more cautious in its political and economic support for Russia following international sanctions, it has continued to provide diplomatic cover. State and foreign media have also echoed Russian narratives about the war.

In 2023, China unveiled its own “peace plan.” Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomed the proposal, saying many of its points aligned with Russia’s views and could serve as a basis for negotiations. While Ukraine did not fully endorse the plan, officials acknowledged it as a sign that Beijing was at least engaging with the issue.

Later, at China’s invitation, then-Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba visited Beijing. However, there has been little sign of a shift in either country’s stance since then.

In September 2024, China launched a new initiative called the “Friends of Peace” platform, aimed at promoting a political resolution to the war in Ukraine.

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on April 17 that China is supplying weapons to Russia, specifically mentioning gunpowder and artillery.