Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused China on Thursday of supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia and claimed Beijing is manufacturing arms on Russian territory-allegations that, if confirmed, would signal a major shift in China's posture on the war in Ukraine and heighten global tensions.
Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence and security services had confirmed the supply of artillery components and gunpowder from China to Russia. "We finally have information that China is supplying weapons to the Russian Federation," Zelenskyy stated. "We believe that Chinese representatives are engaged in the production of some weapons on the territory of Russia."
While China has maintained a public stance of neutrality and repeatedly called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, Zelenskyy's remarks directly challenge that position and raise questions about Beijing's role in sustaining Moscow's war effort. "He gave me his word that weapons would not be sold and sent to Russia," Zelenskyy said of Chinese President Xi Jinping, referencing a prior conversation during the war.
The accusation comes as President Donald Trump intensifies diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire, including controversial engagement with Moscow and cuts to military aid for Kyiv. Beijing has yet to comment publicly on the Ukrainian leader's claims, which were made late Thursday evening Beijing time.
Zelenskyy's remarks follow weeks of rising concern in Kyiv over Chinese involvement in the war. Earlier this month, Ukraine reported the capture of two Chinese nationals fighting for Russian forces. "We have information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military," Zelenskyy said last week, adding that Russia has been actively recruiting Chinese nationals through social media and that Beijing officials were likely aware of the activity.
Two U.S. officials and a former Western intelligence source told Reuters the Chinese nationals captured in Ukraine appeared to be mercenaries with no proven link to China's government. Still, the optics of Chinese citizens in combat roles and reports of weapons production inside Russia have further strained already tense ties between Kyiv and Beijing.
The alleged weapons support would mark a significant break from China's previous narrative. "I would like to reiterate that China is not the initiator of the Ukrainian crisis, nor is China a participating party," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said last week. "We are a firm supporter and active promoter of a peaceful settlement of the crisis."
Despite public denials, China has come under increasing scrutiny from Western intelligence services, who believe Chinese firms have supplied components for drones and other equipment used by Russian forces. U.S. and European leaders have warned that any military assistance to Russia could prompt sanctions on Chinese entities.
Russia's deepening reliance on foreign military supplies has become more apparent as its war in Ukraine drags into its third year. Moscow has already secured large quantities of drones, artillery, and missiles from Iran and North Korea. Ukraine, meanwhile, is locked in a war of attrition where foreign weapons supplies are increasingly pivotal to the outcome.
