China isn't a threat to Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky says. Russia is the problem.
Zelensky, a former comedian before being elected president in May 2019, dismissed arguments China was his country's No. 1 enemy. China and the U.S. are engaged in their own conflict that in no way affects Ukraine, he said.
"I cannot agree with that because in Ukraine we do not feel this," Zelensky said according to news and information website Axios.
"There really is a sort of cold war between China and the U.S. We know U.S. business is represented in Ukraine. But at the same time it's true that Chinese business is also represented."
He said "regardless of the nation, the nationality, if people, if business, if a certain country, treats you with respect, respecting your people and borders, they can be present in your country."
Observers said Zelensky's attitude toward China might be shaped by the need for millions of doses of China-made COVID vaccines. Zelensky is said to be upset at the difficulty in securing supplies of the vaccines made by American biotechnology companies Pfizer, Inc. and Moderna, Inc.
Phase-three clinical trials have shown more than 90% effectiveness versus COVID-19 by the American vaccines. The most widely used China vaccine, from China National Biotec Group, showed 79.3% efficacy and a 99.5% antibody positive conversion rate based on interim results from phase-three clinical trials.
In December U.S. Democrats alleged former President Donald Trump abused his power by trying to coerce Zelensky into conducting an investigation into allegations President Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, were engaged in corruption in Ukraine.
As an "incentive" for Zelensky to play ball, Trump conditioned the release of $400 million in U.S. military aid to Ukraine on Zelensky publicly announcing his country's investigation into the Bidens. Zelensky did nothing.
It has been alleged the Trump administration didn't offer the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to Ukraine and made it harder for Zelensky to obtain them.
With vaccine supplies from the West uncertain, Zelensky is said to be willing to work with China.
