China’s support for Russia will prolong the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday, as he called on countries across the Asia-Pacific to join an upcoming peace summit that he accused Russia of trying to derail. , reports CNN.
Zelensky made the comments in Singapore during a surprise appearance at a meeting of defense chiefs from across the Asia-Pacific, including China and the US. It comes before the international peace conference for Ukraine that will be held on June 15-16 in Switzerland, Gazeta Express reports.
“With China’s support for Russia, the war will last longer. This is bad for the whole world, even for the policy of China – which declares that it supports territorial integrity and sovereignty and declares it officially. It’s not good for them,” Zelensky said during a press conference.
China claims neutrality in the conflict and has said it supports peace, even as it has emerged as a major economic linchpin and strengthened its already close strategic and diplomatic partnership with Russia since its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Zelensky hinted at such support, saying that some elements that make up Russia’s weaponry “come from China.”
The Ukrainian leader also warned that Russia was trying to pressure countries not to join the upcoming international peace summit – with China’s help.
