China issues denial to Zelenskyy

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning stated at a daily press briefing in Beijing that China attaches importance to Switzerland hosting the first Ukraine Peace Conference and has been in communication with Switzerland, Ukraine, and other parties from the beginning.

Responding to Zelenskyy's claim that some Chinese diplomats are trying to persuade third countries on behalf of Russia not to attend the conference, Spokesperson Mao said, "China's position on the conference is honest and fair. Our position is not aimed at any third party or Switzerland. Hegemony and power politics are not China's diplomatic style. China does not pressure other countries."

Regarding Zelenskyy's claim that some of Russia's weapons and ammunition contain components from China, Mao stated, "China is not a country that created or is a party to the Ukraine crisis. We promote peace talks. We do not provide weapons to any party to the conflict, and we strictly control the export of military and civilian dual-use products."

ZELENSKYY'S CLAIMS

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, an international security forum held in Singapore, Zelenskyy had alleged that the Beijing administration was pressuring leaders and officials of countries where it has influence to support Russia's efforts to block the conference.

The Ukrainian leader had said, "Russia, using China's influence in the region and Chinese diplomats, is doing everything it can to disrupt the peace summit."

Emphasizing that it is unfortunate for a large, independent country like China to become a tool in the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelenskyy had stated, "This means not only supporting Russia, but supporting the war."

Zelenskyy had also alleged that some of Russia's weapons and ammunition contain components from China. The Ukrainian leader had noted that 60 percent of Russian weapon components and dual-use products also come from the US and other Western countries.

CHINA WILL NOT ATTEND THE CONFERENCE

China had announced that it would not attend the Ukraine Peace Conference planned to be held in Switzerland on June 15-16, on the grounds that the meeting did not meet its expectations.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning, in a statement on May 31, argued that a peace conference to be held for the resolution of the Ukraine crisis should be recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, ensure the equal participation of all parties, and discuss all peace plans, and that the meeting, to which the Moscow administration was not invited, did not meet these expectations.

Spokesperson Mao had stated, "Due to the gap between the principles advocated by China and expected by the international community and the organization of the meeting, it will not be possible for China to attend the conference."