China has denied Ukrainian claims that it is supplying Russia with weapons for its ongoing war.
"China has never provided lethal weapons to any party in the conflict and strictly controls dual-use items," Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday morning, state-run Global Times reported.
"The Ukrainian side is well aware of this. China firmly opposes baseless accusations and political manipulation."
Why It Matters
Ukraine and its allies have accused China of facilitating Russia's invasion, helping it to continue what is widely seen as an illegal war of aggression and disrupting Western efforts to force Moscow to make peace through a robust defense by Kyiv.
China and Russia have deepened their strategic partnership during Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, hoping to accelerate the creation of a multipolar global order as the sun sets on American hegemony.
What To Know
The head of Ukraine's foreign intelligence service had told Ukrinform that he had information to show "China is delivering machines, special chemicals, gunpowder, and components specifically to military-purpose enterprises."
"We have confirmed data on 20 Russian factories," Oleh Ivashchenko said.
In April, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had openly accused China of supplying Russia with weapons.
Zelensky has also said more than 150 Chinese citizens are fighting for Russia in the conflict.
A key element of the Moscow-Beijing partnership has been Chinese purchases of Russian oil, an economic lifeline for Moscow amid punitive Western sanctions.
Russia may face deeper sanctions as U.S. President Donald Trump grows frustrated with Moscow's ongoing strikes against Ukrainian cities, which have killed civilians.
Trump is attempting to broker a peace deal, but the fighting has continued.
What People Are Saying
President Zelensky told a press conference on April 17, per Reuters: "We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation...We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia."
President Trump posted to Truth Social: "I've always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY! He is needlessly killing a lot of people, and I'm not just talking about soldiers. Missiles and drones are being shot into Cities in Ukraine, for no reason whatsoever.
"I've always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that's proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia! Likewise, President Zelenskyy is doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does. Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don't like it, and it better stop."
