Image Credentials: Image Title: Zelensky Accuses China of Arming Russia, Beijing Denies Allegations Source: AI-Generated Image (Aiease.ai) Date: April 2025 Attribution: Created by AI-generated imagery (Aiease.ai), and it does not depict a real-world scene.
By Staff Writer with Agencies
KYIV — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has publicly accused China of supplying weapons to Russia, marking a serious escalation in tensions between Kyiv and Beijing amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Speaking on April 17, Zelenskyy claimed that Ukrainian intelligence services had uncovered evidence that China has been sending gunpowder and artillery to Russia. He further alleged that Chinese representatives are actively involved in weapons production inside Russian territory.
“We have received information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation. And we are ready to talk about it in detail,” Zelenskyy said. “Today, we have information from the security service, from intelligence, about gunpowder, artillery.”
Zelenskyy indicated that Ukraine would reveal additional details in the coming days, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. “It’s not that we’re surprised, but we didn’t want to see the facts that we witnessed and that I witnessed,” he added.
🇨🇳❗️🇺🇦 "China supplies artillery and gunpowder to Russia," — Zelensky
🗣️ "During conversation with Xi Jinping, he promised that he would not sell or send weapons to Russia. But, unfortunately, we are seeing different information now…" pic.twitter.com/h5JGikM4P1
— The Ukrainian Review (@UkrReview) April 17, 2025
A Shift from Previous Assurances
The accusations come after previous assurances from Chinese President Xi Jinping that China would not supply weapons to Russia. Zelenskyy recounted that he had directly asked Xi during a wartime conversation whether China was supporting Russia militarily, and Xi had pledged neutrality.
“But, unfortunately, we see different information now,” Zelenskyy said. “In any case, we already have facts about this work of China and Russia to strengthen their defence capabilities. And these are bad facts.”
Beijing Responds
China’s Foreign Ministry quickly rejected the allegations as “groundless,” according to Reuters. Spokesperson Lin Jian denied that Beijing had supplied lethal weapons to either side in the conflict and reiterated China’s stated policy of promoting peace talks.
“China’s position on the Ukrainian issue has always been clear,” Lin said at a press briefing. “It has been actively committed to promoting a ceasefire and ending the conflict, as well as encouraging peace talks.”
Lin also pointed out that Ukraine itself had previously acknowledged that most components in Russian-imported weapons originated from the United States and other Western countries, not China.
Mounting Evidence and Broader Tensions
Earlier in April, Zelenskyy revealed that Ukrainian forces had captured two Chinese nationals fighting alongside Russian forces. He later claimed that a total of 155 Chinese citizens were serving in the Russian military.
The developments add further strain to an already complex international situation, as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently indicated that the United States might “move on” from peace efforts if negotiations continue to stall. At the same time, Ukraine has criticized U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff for allegedly echoing “Russian narratives” about territorial concessions.
Zelenskyy’s revelations come amid fears that the conflict in Ukraine could become even more internationalized, pulling China further into the geopolitical confrontation between Russia and the West.
As Kyiv prepares to disclose more information, the world will be closely watching for evidence that could reshape diplomatic relations far beyond Europe.