Involvement of Chinese citizens in this war is undoubtedly escalation of larger problem, said Zelenskyy. VIDEO
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that the participation of Chinese citizens in the war is "definitely escalation a larger problem".
According to Censor.NET, the head of state said this in a video address.
The President noted that the SSU is carrying out the first procedural actions with the captured Chinese nationals. "They are in Kyiv. They are talking to investigators. They give information about how they ended up at the front, how they became participants in "this international crime, this Russian war against Ukraine".
"We also have information regarding other citizens of the People’s Republic of China serving in the Russian army — including names, surnames, and details of the specific routes by which these soldiers joined the Russian occupation forces. We will convey the necessary information to the Chinese side through diplomatic channels, and, of course, to everyone in the world who has heard Beijing say that this war must not be further inflamed or escalated. The involvement of Chinese citizens in this war is clearly an escalation of a larger problem. And this requires a firm and principled response. You cannot reinforce an occupation force and simultaneously talk about peace — these are mutually exclusive actions. We also expect principled positions from our partners — principled support for Ukraine," Zelenskyy said.
Chinese nationals captured by the Ukrainian Armed Forces
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian defenders captured two Chinese nationals in the Donetsk region. They fought as part of the Russian army.
According to the president, the Ukrainian Armed Forces engaged in a battle with six Chinese in the Donetsk region near the settlements of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka, after which two were taken prisoner.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine summoned the Charge d'Affaires of China because of the participation of Chinese citizens in Russia's war against Ukraine on the side of Russia.
US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that the US is aware that Ukraine has captured two Chinese citizens who fought on the side of Russia.
