Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned that Ukrainian troopers had captured two Chinese language residents combating alongside Russian forces, including that Kyiv would demand an evidence from Beijing and a response from its allies.
Moscow and Beijing have in recent times boasted of their “no limits” partnership and deepened political, army and financial cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
“Our army captured two Chinese language residents who fought within the Russian military. This occurred on the territory of Ukraine – within the Donetsk area,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a publish on social media on Tuesday.
“We’ve the paperwork of those prisoners, financial institution playing cards, and private information,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a publish that included a video of one of many alleged Chinese language prisoners.
Our army has captured two Chinese language residents who have been combating as a part of the Russian military. This occurred on Ukrainian territory—within the Donetsk area. Identification paperwork, financial institution playing cards, and private information have been discovered of their possession.
We’ve info suggesting that… pic.twitter.com/ekBr6hCkQL
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 8, 2025
There was no speedy response to the claims from both Moscow or Beijing, however Ukraine’s International Minister Andrii Sybiha mentioned on social media that China’s cost d’affaires had been summoned for an evidence.
“Chinese language residents combating as a part of Russia’s invasion military in Ukraine places into query China’s declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing’s credibility as a accountable everlasting member of the UN Safety Council,” Sybiha mentioned.
China presents itself as a impartial social gathering within the battle and says it isn’t sending deadly help to both aspect, not like the US and different Western nations.
However it’s a shut political and financial ally of Russia, and NATO members have branded Beijing a “decisive enabler” of Moscow’s invasion, which it has by no means condemned.
‘A response’ from allies
US President Donald Trump has been pushing for a speedy finish to the greater than three-year struggle since taking workplace in January. However his administration has failed to succeed in a breakthrough regardless of rounds of negotiations.
Kyiv has repeatedly urged Beijing to strain Moscow to finish its invasion, which has value tens of 1000’s of lives and but has nonetheless thus far did not see the Kremlin obtain its core targets.
Zelenskyy mentioned Kyiv had proof that “many extra Chinese language residents” are combating alongside Russian forces and that he had instructed his international minister to learn the way China intends to reply.
He mentioned the seize of the 2 males and the involvement of China within the battle have been “a transparent sign that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin goes to do something however finish the struggle”.
Zelenskyy additionally demanded “a response from the US, Europe, and everybody on this planet who desires peace” in his on-line publish.
“I believe the US ought to pay extra consideration to what’s taking place right this moment,” he mentioned individually at a press convention in Kyiv.
The struggle in Ukraine, now grinding by means of its fourth 12 months, has attracted 1000’s of international fighters to either side.
Ukraine has been urging its Western companions to reply to the Russian deployment of 1000’s of North Korean troops to the western area of Kursk.
The Ukrainian army has been struggling to carry floor after launching an offensive on the border area final 12 months, though Zelenskyy mentioned for the primary time on Monday that Ukrainian troops had been working in Russia’s Belgorod area.
“The North Koreans fought towards us within the Kursk area, the Chinese language are combating on the territory of Ukraine. And I believe this is a crucial level that we have to talk about with our companions, I believe urgently,” Zelenskyy added within the press convention.
Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi, reporting from Kyiv, mentioned: “You possibly can see the map shifting. From the east, Russia continues to push additional and additional, taking city and village one after the other.”
Whereas Ukrainians will say that’s certainly taking place, additionally they say that “the combat isn’t over but”, Basravi added.
Kyiv, which dispatched its then-International Minister Dmytro Kuleba to China final 12 months, has been looking for to deepen ties with Beijing, and Zelenskyy this week appointed a brand new ambassador to China.
