China Rejects Ukraine's Claim of Chinese Fighters Aiding Russia as "Absolutely Groundless"
At a press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed the claims, saying China’s stance on the Ukraine crisis is “clear and widely supported.”
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — China on Wednesday strongly denied allegations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war in Ukraine, calling the claims “absolutely groundless.”
The response from Beijing came after Zelensky said Ukrainian troops had captured two Chinese citizens allegedly fighting on the Russian side, raising concerns about growing military ties between Moscow and Beijing. If confirmed, China would be the third country—after Iran and North Korea—accused by Ukraine of directly supporting Russia’s military efforts.
At a regular press briefing, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian firmly rejected the claims, stating, “The Chinese side's position on the issue of the Ukraine crisis is clear and unequivocal, and has won widespread approval from the international community.”
Lin emphasized that China has always maintained a neutral stance on the conflict and reiterated the government's directive urging its citizens to avoid entering war zones. “The Chinese side is verifying relevant information with the Ukrainian side,” he added while stressing that Beijing “has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict and avoid involvement in armed conflicts in any form.”
Zelensky’s remarks earlier suggested a troubling new dimension in the war, which is now entering its third year. While China has not provided weapons to Russia, its deepening trade and diplomatic relations with Moscow have raised concerns in Western capitals.
Ukraine’s military released a video purporting to show one of the Chinese nationals in custody, though the footage and Kyiv’s claim have not been independently verified.
Ukraine's Zelenskyy says 2 Chinese were caught fighting alongside Russia: He urged his top diplomat to contact Beijing, noting China would be the third country to back Russia militarily after Iran and North Korea!
— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) April 9, 2025
Ukraine’s army released this video, claiming it shows a captured… pic.twitter.com/mzT6OfgnoY
China, which has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the conflict, has repeatedly called for a political resolution and rejected what it sees as Cold War-style bloc confrontations. However, its perceived closeness to Moscow has drawn increasing scrutiny from Western powers, particularly as reports of indirect support—from drones to critical components—continue to surface.
The claim of captured Chinese fighters, if substantiated, could escalate tensions and further complicate China’s carefully calibrated role in the geopolitical landscape of the Ukraine war.
