China is supplying weapons to Russia, claims Zelensky

Ukraine has intelligence that shows China is supplying weapons to Russia, president Volodymyr Zelensky said yesterday as he announced significant progress towards a minerals deal with the United States.

- ALASTAIR JAMIESON

“We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia,” he told reporters in Kyiv. He did not specify whether he meant artillery systems or shells.

The allegation is likely to further strain relations between Kyiv and Beijing following the capture of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia. China has so far tried to maintain an outward perception of neutrality in the three-year war prompted by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Ukraine has previously called on China to use its influence over Russia to push it towards peace.