Zelensky has posted a video clip on social media, which is said to show a Chinese man who has been taken captive. The Ukrainian forces have taken two Chinese nationals captive in heavily contested Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, according to the post.
"We have information that there are significantly more Chinese citizens in the occupant's forces than these two," Zelensky writes on Tuesday.
Contacting Beijing
He adds that the two Chinese nationals had several personal documents on them and that the government will contact the Chinese government to request an explanation.
The Foreign Ministry announced later on Tuesday that the Chinese diplomatic envoy had been called in for talks about the incident.
Kyiv said simultaneously that the incident "questions Beijing's" stance on finding a peaceful solution. Moreover, "it undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council," writes Foreign Minister Andrij Sybia on social media.
China has formally stated its intention to remain neutral in the war, but has simultaneously strengthened its economic and diplomatic ties with Russia and opposed the world's sanctions and punitive measures.
"Enabling the invasion war"
However, no information has emerged about China delivering weapons, other military equipment, or expertise to Russia during the ongoing full-scale invasion war.
The EU, USA, and NATO have, however, long accused China of effectively enabling the Russian invasion war.
Earlier in the war, North Korea sent soldiers to Russia to assist the invasion forces at the front in Ukraine. The two sanctioned countries have also strengthened their relationship during the war years.
