At a news conference in Singapore on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused China of assisting Russia in efforts to undermine a Swiss-organised peace summit.
Zelensky alleged that China was exerting pressure on other countries to prevent their attendance at the event.
“Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit,” Zelensky said, without providing further details.
“This is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin.”
In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning refuted the accusations. He said: “Our position is open and transparent, and there is no such thing as pressuring other countries.”
China claims a neutral stance on the ongoing conflict, positioning itself in opposition to Ukraine, the US, and most European nations.
Despite this, China’s trade with Russia has increased, alleviating some of the economic strain from Western sanctions.
Intelligence reports from the US, Ukraine, and other nations indicate that Chinese components are appearing in Russian weaponry, although there is no direct evidence of China supplying arms to Russia.
Switzerland had hoped for China’s participation in the mid-June peace conference, but Mao Ning indicated on Friday that this was unlikely.
During the security forum, Zelensky urged top defence officials to engage in the Swiss talks, expressing his dissatisfaction with some countries’ reluctance to commit.
He stressed that Ukraine has significant proposals to present at the summit, focusing on nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war, and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s openness to diverse proposals aimed at ending the conflict and achieving a sustainable and just peace.
He said: “Ukraine is ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us … to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace.”
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