China has firmly denied allegations made by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that it is providing weapons and gunpowder to Russia, marking the first time Zelensky has openly accused Beijing of direct military support for Moscow.
In response to the Reuters report quoting Zelensky’s claims, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian reiterated Beijing’s consistent position during a press briefing on Friday. “China’s stance on the Ukraine issue remains clear and consistent,” Lin said. “We have actively worked to promote a ceasefire and peace talks. We have never supplied lethal weapons to any party involved in the conflict and strictly control the export of dual-use items.”
Zelensky’s comments, reported Thursday, represent a notable escalation in Ukraine’s rhetoric toward China, as Kyiv continues to grapple with mounting battlefield challenges and increasing pressure to secure broader international support.
Reacting to the accusations, Lin emphasized that Ukraine itself had previously acknowledged that most of Russia’s imported military components originated from the United States and other Western nations. “China strongly opposes groundless accusations and political manipulation,” he added.
Military analysts in China have also dismissed the claims. Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert, told Global Times that while weapons are intended for direct use in combat, gunpowder is classified as a dual-use item—capable of both civilian and military applications. He stressed that “China strictly controls the export of both types of goods” and reaffirmed that the Chinese government “has consistently made it clear that it does not supply weapons or any dual-use items, including gunpowder or drones, to either side in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.”
Song suggested that the accusations may reflect Ukraine’s growing frustration over unfavorable developments on the battlefield. “As setbacks increase, Ukraine has become suspicious and anxious, assuming that Russia’s gains must be the result of foreign support,” he said.
Reuters reported this week that Russian forces have begun employing new tactics involving large-scale assaults of several hundred troops—an apparent shift from their previous use of small infantry units to gradually penetrate Ukrainian defenses.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, Ukraine and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding on developing Ukraine’s mineral resources—an initial step toward a broader bilateral agreement. Former U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated the full deal could be finalized as early as next week.
Cui Heng, a scholar at the Shanghai-based China National Institute for SCO International Exchange and Judicial Cooperation, told Global Times that Ukraine’s accusations may be linked to the urgency of finalizing this agreement. “Such groundless claims might be aimed at increasing pressure on Washington and bolstering Ukraine’s case for greater support from the West,” he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added further fuel to the evolving geopolitical picture, warning Friday that the U.S. should reconsider its involvement in Ukraine if a resolution is not reached soon. “If we can’t end the war in the next few days, we need to move on,” Rubio reportedly told CNN.
China has recently implemented tighter export control measures for dual-use goods, including regulations that came into effect on December 1, 2024. These rules include enhanced licensing requirements and a comprehensive control list, aimed at reinforcing oversight and limiting the military use of exported civilian technologies, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.
