Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky had a briefing by Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service. Photo: Screenshot of Zelensky’s Telegram post

 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed on Wednesday that a link has been observed between "Chinese satellites imaging Ukrainian territory" and Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure facilities. A Chinese expert pointed out on Thursday that it is Ukraine's old tactic to serve its own interests in the Russia-Ukraine conflict by exerting pressure on China in a bid to drag the country into this vortex, warning that such approaches do not contribute to resolving the crisis but would only further complicate the situation.

The expert reiterates that China did not create the Ukraine crisis, nor is it a party to the crisis. China has neither stood idle nor taken advantage of it in the crisis. Instead, China has been sparing efforts to settling disputes and conflicts through dialogue, consultation and political means.

While Zelensky discussed Russia's attempts to remove its energy companies from the scope of global sanctions during a briefing by Oleh Ivashchenko, head of Ukraine's Foreign Intelligence Service, he mentioned China.

"In particular, we are recording increased ties between Russia and entities in China that may be providing space-based intelligence data. Unfortunately, there have been correlations between Chinese satellite imaging of Ukrainian territory and Russian strikes on the corresponding energy infrastructure facilities," Zelensky claimed on Telegram.

Regarding the remarks, Zhang Hong, a Chinese research fellow at the Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Thursday that these statements attempt to incite other countries to pressure China so as to drag the country into the conflict, while seeking more military assistance from Europe and the US.

Such approaches do not contribute to resolving the crisis; on the contrary, they risk further complicating the situation, Zhang noted.

China's position has been consistent, clear, and firm. "We have always adhered to the principle of neutrality, actively promoting peace talks and dialogue in the Ukraine crisis, and are committed to facilitating the peaceful resolution of disputes," Zhang stressed.

Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Ukraine and some Western countries have been trying to drag China into the conflict. Earlier in April, the Ukrainian leader claimed at a press conference that his government had intelligence that China was producing weapons on Russian, according to Reuters. In response to this, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that China has always been committed to promoting a ceasefire and peace talks and has never provided lethal weapons to any party to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

On Wednesday, when asked about Zelensky's remarks that a new round of sanctions would soon be imposed on Russian entities and individuals assisting Russia, including nationals of other countries such as China, spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry Lin Jian said that China will firmly protect the legitimate and lawful rights and interests of Chinese companies and nationals.

Lin emphasized that China opposes unilateral sanctions that violate international law and lack the authorization of the UN Security Council. "We urge Ukraine to stop pursuing the wrong course at once," he stressed.

In the meantime, Zelensky has also thanked China for supporting his country's territorial integrity and emphasized the two nations' improving bilateral relations amid China's intensified efforts to mediate peace. Zelensky delivered the remarks when accepting a letter of credence from China's ambassador Ma Shengkun on December 2024.

On December 18, Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin held political consultations between the foreign ministries of China and Ukraine with Ukrainian First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergiy Kyslytsya in Beijing.

Liu stated that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Ukraine, friendship and cooperation have always been the defining features of bilateral relations. Upholding the principles of mutual respect and trust, mutual understanding and accommodation, and mutual benefit, both sides have achieved fruitful results in cooperation in areas such as economy and trade, agriculture, science and technology, and culture.

China is ready to work with Ukraine to continue implementing the important common understandings reached by the heads of state and promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral relations, Liu said.