Ukraine Claim Of Significant Numbers Of Chinese Troops Fighting With Russians ‘unfounded’: Beijing

A Beijing official pushed back on Ukraine’s claim that there were significant numbers of Chinese troops fighting alongside Russian forces.

An official said the idea that many Chinese nationals were fighting for Russia was “totally unfounded,” The Associated Press reported.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday that his country’s military captured two Chinese soldiers fighting in Ukraine on behalf of the Russian army.

Zelensky claimed there were “significantly more” Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. The Ukrainian foreign minister demanded an explanation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China has played a “constructive role in politically resolving” the war in Ukraine, the AP reported.

Lin said “the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any party’s military operations.”  

Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist in their military.

The capture of the two Chinese men is the latest development in the war between Russia and Ukraine, which has gone on for more than three years.

The Trump administration has sought to end the conflict but has been unsuccessful in getting both sides to agree to a ceasefire deal.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday that the U.S. was aware of the report that two Chinese soldiers were fighting against Ukraine, calling it “disturbing.”

Bruce said China was a “major enabler” of Russia in the war. Chinese President Xi Jinping has improved relations with Russia since the start of the war, calling the countries true friends.

The development comes after President Trump has implemented a more than 100 percent tariff on China.