Ukraine has no reason to believe China is providing Russia with weapons – NSDC
China's agreement to supply weapons to Russia became known from the leak of secret documents (Photo:REUTERS/Florence Lo)
National Security and Defense Council secretary, Oleksiy Danilov, says Ukraine has not observed any Chinese weaponry on the Russian frontline, so far.
“If it appeared here, you remember when the Iranian drones appeared, we immediately made a statement about it. We dismantled them thoroughly, as they say, bone by bone, and even obtained data on the countries whose components were used,” Danilov said on national television on April 16.
“We will officially address them [China] with a question of why it happened and that it must be stopped. As of now, we do not see any Chinese weaponry on our front.”
While Beijing may remain reluctant to send heavy weapons to Moscow, more and more Chinese-made electronic components are being found in Russian weapons captured and destroyed in Ukraine, presidential advisor Vladyslav Vlasiuk told Reuters on April 14.
Should it be confirmed that the Russian invaders are using Chinese weaponry, the authorities will inform both the society and the world about it, said Danilov.
“However, based on China’s global concerns, we do not see why they would supply weapons to Russia at this time,” explained Danilov.
“China’s position is neutral – they do not support either side. For the first time, Chinese diplomacy has come out into the public space with a proposal of 12 questions regarding the end of the war, but they call it something slightly different.”
“This is the first question, why we cannot accept it definitively. There are things that we can accept when it comes to territorial integrity, the United Nations. This is certainly useful for us. But there are points that are quite doubtful. Therefore, we are working, observing, and collecting a large volume of information specifically on this issue,” Danilov said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on March 6 that Chinese President Xi Jinping is willing to speak with Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenksyy about a peace settlement “at an appropriate time,” though no such talks have yet been organized.
Earlier, media reported with reference to leaked secret documents from the United States that China had approved the provision of lethal military aid to Russia at the beginning of 2023.
According to U.S. news website Politico, Chinese companies sent 1,000 assault rifles, body armor, and drone parts to Russia in 2022.
The United States and its allies have repeatedly said that China is considering the possibility of supplying weapons to Russia, including drones, ammunition, and artillery. Beijing denies this, and Kyiv has not yet seen any signs to confirm.
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