Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused China of ignoring the involvement of its citizens fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Speaking on the issue, Zelenskyy revealed that Kyiv had identified at least 155 Chinese nationals who have joined Russia’s military efforts, with their passport details in possession. While he stopped short of accusing Beijing of directly ordering their participation, he stated that China is aware of its citizens being present on the battlefield.
Zelenskyy added that Russia is using platforms like TikTok and other social media to recruit foreign nationals, including Chinese citizens. He said Ukraine is willing to consider exchanging any captured Chinese fighters for detained Ukrainian servicemen.
In response, China strongly rejected the claims, calling them “groundless” and inconsistent with its call for a peaceful resolution to the war. A spokesperson from the Chinese foreign ministry reiterated that the government advises its citizens to avoid conflict zones and denied any official involvement. Russia, for its part, has not commented on the presence of Chinese nationals among its forces.
The accusation adds another layer of tension to the complex geopolitical landscape of the war, especially as global powers continue to monitor China’s role. Zelenskyy also stated that the United States was “very surprised” to learn of the Chinese fighters in Ukraine, suggesting that the matter could impact ongoing international diplomacy regarding the conflict.
Amid escalating hostilities, Zelenskyy once again called for increased military support from Western allies. Ahead of an important summit at the Ramstein airbase in Germany, he urged the U.S. and European nations to provide Ukraine with at least 10 Patriot missile systems to defend against Russian ballistic attacks. “We have repeatedly raised this issue with the American side and with everyone in Europe who is in a position to help. We are counting on decisions,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
His plea comes as Russia continues its assaults on Ukrainian cities. On Thursday, Russian drones targeted Kyiv, resulting in structural damage and fires. One person was reported trapped in a destroyed house, and another drone sparked a fire in a storage facility.
Meanwhile, U.S. policy on its European military presence has come under scrutiny. A bipartisan group of American lawmakers voiced strong criticism of reports suggesting the Trump administration might reduce the number of U.S. troops stationed in Europe. Currently, about 100,000 American troops are deployed across the continent, a figure that has risen by 20,000 since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
A comparable human story running parallel involves a Russian family that fled Russia upon protesting the war and has had trouble maneuvering the American system of immigration. Having overcome the complex asylum system, they then face unexpected legal challenges from Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “I left home so that I wouldn’t be afraid to be put into prison again,” a family member said. “When I came here, I thought the worst that could happen was being denied asylum — not this.”
As the war grinds on, political, military, and human pressures continue to build, with new revelations and demands shaping the course of international response.
