Early Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted on his Telegram account a purported video of a Chinese national who had been captured by Ukrainian troops.
鈥淥ur military captured two Chinese citizens who fought in the Russian army,” Zelenskyy said. “This happened on the territory of Ukraine鈥攊n the Donetsk region. There are documents of these prisoners, bank cards and personal data.鈥�
Additionally, Zelenskyy said, 鈥淲e have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the units of the occupier than two.”
He said Ukrainian intelligence agencies are 鈥渃larifying all the facts.鈥�
If what he suspects is true, it undermines Beijing鈥檚 public calls for a ceasefire to end the fighting in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said he had 鈥渟ummoned China鈥檚 charg茅 d鈥檃ffaires鈥� to explain why the Chinese nationals were fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine.
Sybiha , 鈥淲e strongly condemn Russia’s involvement of Chinese citizens in its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as their participation in combat against Ukrainian forces.鈥�
In addition to embarrassing the Chinese government, the incident raises a much bigger international issue 鈥� are two of the world鈥檚 biggest military powers, Moscow and Beijing, teaming up to continue an invasion of a sovereign country?
Another key question is: How this will impact the response of western countries trying to help Ukraine?
鈥淭his definitely requires a reaction,” Zelenskyy wrote. “A reaction from the United States, Europe and everyone in the world who wants peace.鈥�
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