Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has openly accused China of aligning with Russia, casting a shadow over the prospects of an upcoming peace summit aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict.
What Happened: Zelenskyy has leveled accusations against China for aligning with Russia to dissuade participation in an upcoming peace summit, the Financial Times reported on Sunday.
During the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Zelenskyy claimed that China’s non-attendance at the June 15-16 summit in Switzerland was an attempt to disrupt the event on behalf of Moscow. He suggested that China was acting under Russian influence, stating that Beijing was “in the hands” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Zelenskyy criticized China for providing Russia with dual-use items, which the U.S. alleges are being used to reinforce Moscow’s military capabilities. He warned that Chinese support could prolong the conflict. "With Chinese support to Russia, the war will last longer."
Additionally, Zelenskyy met with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, marking his first encounter with a high-ranking US official since the Biden administration eased restrictions on the use of some American weapons for strikes within Russian territory.
The Pentagon confirmed Austin’s commitment to “unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine.” However, Zelenskyy expressed that the shift in policy regarding U.S.-supplied weapons was still “not enough,” referencing the ongoing prohibition on Ukraine’s use of long-range ATACMS missiles inside Russia.
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At a press conference, the Ukrainian leader questioned China’s stance on respecting territorial integrity while enabling Russia’s war efforts. He also highlighted the importance of Asian countries’ support for the peace summit.
Despite Zelenskyy’s efforts, no Chinese officials engaged with him in Singapore. China’s Defense Minister Dong Jun refuted claims of providing arms to any party in the Ukraine war and emphasized China’s strict export controls.
Former Chinese ambassador to Washington, Cui Tiankai, explained China’s absence from the summit by pointing out the non-invitation of Russia, suggesting peace cannot be achieved without both conflict parties’ participation.
The summit aims to address key issues from Zelenskyy’s peace plan and has confirmed attendance from 106 nations, with 75 leaders. However, the absence of Russia and China raises questions about the summit’s potential impact. The Swiss government remains hopeful for a second meeting that could include Moscow.
Why It Matters: China’s stance on the Ukraine conflict has been under scrutiny, especially after pledges to strengthen China-Russia ties were made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2024. The two leaders have expressed their commitment to work together on various fronts, including the Ukraine crisis, which has raised concerns about China’s neutrality.
Furthermore, China’s special envoy for European affairs, Wu Hongbo, has defended the Sino-Russian relationship and dismissed Western claims of China’s involvement in the conflict. Wu’s comments at the end of May 2024 emphasized that it is unfair to hold China responsible for resolving the Ukraine war, stating that China has neither instigated the crisis nor exploited it.
Photo courtesy: The Presidential Office of Ukraine
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
© 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
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