Systematic Russian efforts: Zelenskyy on involvement of Chinese citizens in war

Sharing a post on X, Zelenskyy wrote, "We continue to investigate all the circumstances surrounding the involvement of Chinese citizens in the Russian occupation forces. The Security Service of Ukraine is carrying out the necessary procedural actions with the POWs recently captured in the Donetsk region. At the same time, all information is being examined regarding the involvement of other such individuals in Russia's actions against Ukraine."

"It is crystal clear that these are not isolated cases, but rather systematic Russian efforts, in particular on the territory and within the jurisdiction of China, to recruit citizens of that country for the war. Everything necessary must be done to ensure that Russia has no such and similar opportunities to prolong and expand the war," the post added.

https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1910336847982534661

Meanwhile, China had issued an apparent rebuke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after he alleged that Beijing is aware its citizens are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, Al Jazeera reported.

On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian urged "relevant parties" not to make "irresponsible remarks."

"We advise the relevant parties to recognise China's role correctly and clear-headedly," Lin said, without directly naming Ukraine or Zelenskyy.

China made the remarks after Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that Ukraine has evidence that at least 155 Chinese nationals are deployed. A day earlier, the Ukrainian President had also claimed that two Chinese citizens were captured by Ukrainian forces, Al Jazeera reported.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin also dismissed Zelenskyy's claims, insisting that China remains "balanced" and "friendly."

Also on Thursday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Zelenskyy was "wrong" to suggest Russia was dragging China into the Ukraine conflict. "Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelenskyy is wrong," he told reporters, according to Al Jazeera.