China has denied Ukraine’s claim that significant numbers of Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia’s army.
According to a Beijing official, the claim is “totally unfounded.”
Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Lin Jian asserted that China has played a “constructive role in politically resolving the Ukraine crisis.”
The Chinese diplomat stated that Beijing is checking the facts related to the allegations that Chinese citizens are participating in the war against Ukraine on the side of the Russian occupation army.
At the same time, the Foreign Ministry emphasized that China did not send its people to the front.
Lin told a daily news briefing that the Chinese government always asks Chinese citizens to stay away from conflict zones, avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and especially refrain from participating in any party’s military operations.
His comments appeared to indicate that the captured Chinese had joined Russia’s ranks on their own initiative.
Both Russia and Ukraine allow foreign soldiers to enlist.
China has previously put forward a vague peace plan that was swiftly dismissed by most observers.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, that the Ukrainian military had captured two Chinese men fighting alongside the Russian army on Ukrainian soil and had information that “significantly more” are with Russian forces.
It was the first time Ukraine had made such a claim about Chinese fighters in the war.
China has provided strong diplomatic support for Russia since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. It has also sold Russia machinery and microelectronics that it can use to make weapons, Western officials say, in addition to providing an economic lifeline through the trade in energy and consumer goods.
China is not believed to have knowingly provided Russia with troops, weapons or military expertise.
U.S. officials have accused Iran of providing Russia with drones, while American and South Korean officials say North Korea has sent thousands of troops and ammunition to help Russia on the battlefield.
With the U.S. and Europe having provided substantial military support and diplomatic heft for Ukraine, the war has to some degree become a contest between power blocs.
Tensions between the U.S. and China have deepened in recent years. Disputes have centered on geopolitical influence, technology and trade — and recently escalating import tariffs between the countries have roiled global financial markets.
U.S. President Donald Trump is trying to follow through on a campaign promise last year to swiftly end the war in Ukraine.
The Kremlin has effectively rejected a US proposal for an immediate and full 30-day halt in the fighting in Ukraine. The Kyiv government has consented to it. Both sides are believed to be readying spring-summer military campaigns.
In the meantime, both countries have kept fighting a war of attrition along the roughly 1,000-kilometer (620-mile) front line and targeted each other with long-range strikes.
Disturbing Reports
U.S. State Department Spokesperson, Tammy Bruce said at a briefing in Washington that reports of Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia were “disturbing.”
Bruce said that China is a “major enabler of Russia” in the war in Ukraine, claiming that China provides nearly 80% of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.
Also, European Union’s Foreign Policy Chief, Kaja Kallas, called Beijing “the key enabler of Russia’s war.”
Kallas stated that dual-use goods are entering Russia via China, adding “it’s clear that if China would want to really stop the support, then it would have an impact.”
According to a US assessment last year, China has surged sales to Russia of machine tools, microelectronics and other technology that Moscow in turn is using to produce missiles, tanks, aircraft and other weaponry for the war.
READ ALSO: Drake Sets New Record for Most All-Time RIAA Certification Units
