In a surprise address at Asia’s premier security summit, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Sunday that China’s support for Russia is extending the war in Ukraine. He urged nations in the Asia-Pacific region to attend an upcoming peace conference, which he claimed Russia is trying to obstruct.
Zelensky spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an annual gathering of defense chiefs and leaders from the US, China, and other Asia-Pacific countries. During his press conference, he stressed that China’s backing of Russia contradicts its declared policy of supporting territorial integrity and sovereignty.
“With China’s support to Russia, the war will last longer. That is bad for the whole world and the policy of China – who declares that it supports territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. For them, it is not good,” he said, according to news reports from news agency.
Accusations of Chinese Support for Russian Armaments
The Ukrainian president hinted at China’s indirect support for Russia by providing components for Russian weaponry. Zelensky noted that some parts of Russia’s arms “come from China,” highlighting a significant concern about China’s role in the conflict.
President also accused China of helping Russia persuade other countries not to attend the international peace conference on Ukraine, scheduled for June 15-16 in Switzerland.
Russia’s Attempts to Disrupt the Peace Summit
Zelensky claimed that Russia is actively trying to undermine the peace summit by threatening nations with blockades on agricultural, food, and chemical products. “Russia is trying to disrupt the peace summit and that is true … (Russia) is now travelling around many countries in the world threatening them with the blockade of the agricultural goods, of the food products, of chemical products … it is simply pushing the other countries of the world so that they’re not present on the summit,” he said.
When questioned about China’s absence from the peace summit, Zelensky accused Russia of using Chinese diplomats to manipulate the event. He expressed disappointment that China, a powerful and independent nation, is being used as an “instrument in the hands of Putin.”
Responding to these allegations, Chinese Minister of National Defence Dong Jun stated that China is promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude.
Dong also addressed US accusations that China is using dual-use exports to support Russia’s defense industry. He emphasized that China has placed stricter controls on such exports and has not provided weapons to either side in the conflict.
During a side discussion on Friday, US Defence Chief Lloyd Austin confronted Dong Jun about these issues and warned that the US would hold China accountable for any military assistance to Russia.
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The Shangri-La Dialogue serves as Asia’s premier annual defense summit, bringing together government leaders, senior officials, experts, and business icons to foster cooperation and address regional security challenges.
Call for International Support
President Zelensky’s appearance at the summit is part of his broader effort to gain international backing for the peace summit in Switzerland. He hopes to secure broad support for his vision of the terms needed to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
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