Title: China Confirms it Won’t Supply Weapons to Russia, Zelensky Hails Decision as a "Major Blow" to Moscow’s Aggression
Date: March 25, 2023
Beijing/Shanghai, China/Washington, D.C. – In a significant diplomatic development, China has officially confirmed that it will not supply weapons to Russia in its ongoing war with Ukraine, a move hailed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a "major blow" to Moscow’s aggression.
The announcement was made by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian during a routine press briefing in Beijing on Friday. "China’s position on the situation in Ukraine remains consistent. We have called for a ceasefire, the withdrawal of all foreign forces, and a diplomatic solution. We have not and will not supply weapons to either side," Zhao stated.
The news is seen as a significant blow to Russia, which has been relying heavily on Chinese economic and military support since the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine last year. Beijing has so far maintained a policy of "neutrality" in the conflict, refusing to condemn Russia’s actions while also expressing support for a peaceful resolution.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky took to social media to welcome China’s decision, saying, "This is a major blow to Russian aggression! I want to thank China for taking this step, which is crucial for the security and stability of Europe. We will continue to work together to prevent the further spread of the war."
The announcement is also seen as a significant setback for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has been trying to strengthen ties with Beijing to counterbalance Western sanctions imposed on Russia over its actions in Ukraine.
While China has not directly commented on Russia’s actions in Ukraine, it has repeatedly expressed concern over the conflict’s impact on regional stability and economic growth. Beijing has also called for a diplomatic solution to the conflict, which has so far failed to produce a lasting ceasefire.
The decision by China not to supply weapons to Russia is likely to put pressure on other countries to reconsider their own arms sales to Moscow. The United States, in particular, has been critical of Chinese support for Russia, accusing Beijing of hypocrisy for refusing to condemn Moscow’s actions while maintaining economic ties.
As the conflict in Ukraine continues to drag on, the move by China is seen as a significant diplomatic development that could help to shift the balance of power in favor of a peaceful resolution. However, it remains to be seen whether the announcement will be enough to persuade Russia to end its aggression and withdraw its forces from Ukraine.
Sources:
- Xinhua News Agency
- China Daily
- The New York Times
- The Wall Street Journal
https://kyivindependent.com/china-confirms-it-wont-supply-russia-with-weapons-zelensky-says/