China has urged its citizens to avoid taking part in wars after Kiev announced the capture of two Chinese who fought for the Russian army in eastern Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported.
This is the first case of Chinese citizens being captured in fighting in Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.
"China is currently investigating with Ukraine on this matter," said Lin Jiang, a spokesman for the Chinese foreign ministry, today.
"I would like to emphasize that the Chinese government has always asked its citizens to stay away from areas of armed conflict, to avoid getting involved in any form of armed conflict, and above all, to avoid participating in the military operations of any "country", he stressed.
"China's position on the Ukrainian crisis is clear and unambiguous and has been generally approved by the international community", Lin Jiang added.
According to preliminary information, these are individuals who have signed a "contract" with the Russian army, and not about sending regular Chinese troops to the Ukrainian front, AFP reports, citing a high-ranking source in Kiev who requested anonymity.
The head of Ukrainian diplomacy, Andriy Sibiga, said in "Ex" that he had summoned the Chinese chargé d'affaires in Kiev to "demand explanations," AFP recalls.