Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said today that Russia is dragging China into its war against Ukraine, Agence France-Presse reported.
The Russians are "drawing other countries into the war. I believe they are now dragging China into this war," Zelensky told journalists.
Kiev is ready to "exchange" Chinese prisoners of war for Ukrainian soldiers held by Russia, he added.
Zelensky also said that the involvement of Chinese fighters in the war shows that Moscow wants to prolong it.
“Ukraine believes that such an obvious involvement of Chinese citizens in combat operations on Ukrainian territory within the framework of the war of aggression is a deliberate step towards prolonging the war,“ Zelensky said. He added that this is an additional indication that Moscow simply needs to prolong the fighting.
The Ukrainian head of state announced to media representatives that, according to Ukrainian intelligence, at least 155 Chinese citizens are fighting with Ukrainian forces on the side of Russia.
Zelensky also said that the meeting this week in the United States will discuss the deal for Ukrainian rare earth minerals, with the focus on the technical aspects and the foundations of the future agreement, Reuters reported.
The Ukrainian president stressed to journalists that the deal should be equally beneficial for both sides and can be structured in a way that will help modernize Ukraine.
The Kiev delegation will be led by a deputy economy minister, he added.