Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia and China of trying to sabotage his upcoming peace summit in Switzerland.
He claimed that Russia is discouraging other countries from attending, and China is also involved in this effort. Speaking at an Asian security forum, Zelensky mentioned that some parts of Russia’s weapons come from China, despite China’s claim of neutrality in the Ukraine war.
The US has criticized China for allegedly aiding Russia with weapon components and buying large amounts of Russian oil and gas.
Zelensky made a surprise visit to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to rally support from Asian nations.
He announced that 106 countries plan to send high-level representatives to his summit, focusing on nuclear security, food security, and the release of prisoners and Ukrainian children held in Russia. Russia was not invited to the summit, and China is not attending.
Zelensky accused Russia of using threats to pressure countries not to attend, and he later added that China was also discouraging attendance. China’s foreign ministry responded that the conference should include both Russia and Ukraine for it to be effective.
Despite assurances from China’s leader Xi Jinping to remain neutral, Zelensky pointed out that intelligence reports indicate Chinese parts in Russian weapons.
The US supports Ukraine with weapons and has allowed them to use these on the Russian border, but not without restrictions.
Zelensky did not meet China’s defense minister at the forum but did meet with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to discuss these issues.
This visit is Zelensky’s second trip to Asia since the war started, following his appearance at the G7 summit in Japan last year.
For more details, refer to the original report by the BBC.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c722q4dn7e1o