Zelensky accuses Russia and China of undermining summit
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia and China of trying to undermine his upcoming global peace summit in Switzerland. He claimed that Russia was attempting to dissuade other nations from attending the event and that China was also involved in this effort.
During an address at an Asian security forum, Zelensky mentioned that some components of Russian weaponry originate from China. Although China claims neutrality in the Ukraine conflict, this stance has been increasingly questioned, particularly by the US. Beijing faces accusations of supporting Moscow by supplying weapon components and bolstering the Russian economy through extensive oil and gas purchases, which mitigate the impact of Western sanctions.
Zelensky made an unexpected appearance at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, which was attended by defense leaders from around the world, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu. His visit aimed to garner support from Asian countries, urging delegates to attend the summit scheduled for later in June.
Zelensky stated that the summit would address issues such as nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners of war and Ukrainian children held in Russia. He announced that 106 countries had committed to sending
Russia has not been invited and China is not attending.
A formal invitation was not issued to Russia as Moscow had told Switzerland early on that it did not want to participate, the BBC understands.
Mr Zelensky claimed that Russia was attempting to disrupt the summit by pressuring countries not to attend, through threats of a blockade of agricultural goods, chemical goods, and energy.
Certain countries were assisting this “diplomatic disruption”, he added.
He named China later on and said it was “working for countries to not come to the peace summit”, unlike the US which has promised to send a high-level representative and is encouraging others to attend.
Russia was doing “everything to disrupt the peace summit” by using “Chinese influence on the region” and diplomats to do so, he said.
“It is unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin.”
China’s foreign ministry had said that the conference “should have the recognition of Russia and Ukraine” and equal participation. “Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace,” a spokeswoman said on Friday.
Mr. Zelensky also said China’s leader Xi Jinping had earlier promised him they would “stand aside in this war and would not support Russia with weapons”.
But, he added, there are now “elements that are part of Russia’s weaponry” that come from China, according to various intelligence agencies. He called for China to maintain a “consistent” position.
The US has said that China is helping Russia make more munitions, armored vehicles, and missiles. It estimates about 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China.
Earlier on Sunday, Chinese defense minister Dong Jun said they do not supply weapons to either party of the Ukraine conflict.
He also said they have put “strict controls” on the exports of dual-use technology, which are items that can be used for civilian and military purposes.
“We have never done anything to fan the flames. We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue,” he said in his speech.
Mr Zelensky said he did not meet Mr Dong at the dialogue, but he did meet Mr Austin. The two discussed the US’ decision to let Ukraine use American weapons on Russian territory, according to Mr Zelensky.
That decision comes with certain restrictions. Asked by the BBC if he requested the removal of limitations, he said he was grateful to the US for allowing Ukraine to use the HIMARS artillery rocket system by the border of the Kharkiv region which has seen intense fighting.
“Is that sufficient? No,” he said, adding that there were airfields from which Russia was permanently firing “knowing that Ukraine will not fire back”.
The US joins other Western states such as France in allowing Ukraine more leeway in using Western-supplied weapons. Russia has warned of “serious consequences” of this move.
This weekend marked the second time Mr Zelensky has visited Asia since the war began. He made a surprise appearance at the G7 leaders’ summit a year ago in Hiroshima, Japan.
