Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is accusing Russia of using China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region to disrupt an upcoming peace summit, which centers on the ongoing Russia–Ukraine war.
Mr. Zelenskyy said on June 2 that China was pressuring other countries into not attending the summit, scheduled to be held in Switzerland on June 15 and 16. He didn’t specify which countries.
“Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of [Russian leader Vladimir] Putin.”
“This is not all, but there are three points that definitely lead to the end of the war, not to the beginning of another escalation by the Russian Federation,” he said.
More than 107 countries and international organizations have confirmed they will participate in the summit, which was organized at Ukraine’s request, according to the Ukrainian government.
“We do not expect military support from China ... but we do not expect China to provide defense support to Russia, and that is what we have discussed with the Chinese leader by phone,” he said.
Mr. Zelenskyy says he had a phone discussion with CCP leader Xi Jinping a year ago to discuss “the support of territorial integrity of Ukraine and our sovereignty and our positions.”
“He promised me that China would stand aside and would not support Russia with weapons. Today, there are various signals from various intelligence [agencies], including [the] Ukrainian one, that somehow, some way, some things come to Russia’s markets via China. ... There are certain elements of Russia’s weaponry that come from China,” he said.
Mr. Zelenskyy claimed that Ukraine has made numerous attempts to meet with Chinese officials, including Xi, and extended invitations to attend the summit, but they had been unsuccessful.
“Unfortunately, Ukraine does not have any powerful connections with China because China does not want it.”
