Ukraine Says Chinese Nationals Captured Fighting For Russia, Zelensky Demands Beijing Explain Its ‘Neutrality’
Ukrainian troops captured two Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, prompting Ukraine to demand an explanation from Beijing. The incident highlights China's alleged neutrality in the conflict and its close ties with Russia.
President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday said that the Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese citizens fighting alongside Russian forces, adding that Kyiv would demand an explanation from Beijing and a reaction from its allies.
According to news agency AFP, Moscow and Beijing in recent years boasted of their no limits partnership and deepened political, military, and economic cooperation since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
"Our military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army. This happened on the territory of Ukraine—in the Donetsk region," Zelensky said in a post on social media.
"We have the documents of these prisoners, bank cards, and personal data," Zelensky said in a post that included a video of one of the alleged Chinese prisoners.
According to AFP, there was no immediate response to the claims from either Moscow or Beijing, but Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga said on social media that China's chargé d'affaires had been summoned for an explanation.
"Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russia's invasion army in Ukraine puts into question China's declared stance for peace and undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council," Sybiga said.
China presents itself as a neutral party in the conflict and says that it is not sending lethal assistance to either side, unlike the United States and the other Western nations.
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