President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that China has for the first time taken a firm stance regarding Russian nuclear rhetoric.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy / © Associated Press
In Beijing, in an “ultimatum form,” they made it clear to Russia that there should not even be thoughts of using nuclear weapons in the war against Ukraine.
This was announced by the head of state in response to journalists’ questions after the NATO summit.
Zelenskyy mentioned that during a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, they discussed China’s role in Russia’s war against Ukraine, but he decided not to disclose the details of this conversation.
“Absolutely. President Trump and I discussed China, its role in this war, its participation or potential participation, and its capabilities. With all due respect, dear journalists, I would prefer that the details of this particular matter remain between me and the President of the United States,” he said.
According to the president, the topic of China was repeatedly raised during discussions with European leaders.
“In general, much was discussed about Ukraine at this summit. Much was discussed about the Middle East. And about China. And there were several European leaders with whom we spoke about China’s role in ending this war,” he noted.
Zelenskyy reported that he heard about a shift in Beijing’s position regarding Russian statements about the possible use of nuclear weapons from European partners.
“The situation here has changed a bit. Some European leaders said they had communicated with representatives of China. And Beijing reacted very seriously, very firmly, and clearly to media manifestations in Russia regarding certain possibilities of nuclear use, the use of nuclear weapons,” he stated.
The Ukrainian leader recalled that statements about a possible nuclear response to Ukrainian attacks were heard in the Russian information space.
“I think you have heard such voices in the Russian media: ‘What if we respond to the Ukrainians’ attacks with nuclear weapons?'” he said.
According to Zelenskyy, it is important that not only Ukraine’s Western allies opposed such rhetoric.
“It is very important to emphasize that not only Europeans, not only America, but also China. And it seems to me that for the first time they reacted very clearly and very firmly, as the leaders told me, in an ultimatum form, that there should not even be thoughts of using nuclear weapons,” the head of state emphasized.
Previously, China had repeatedly stated the inadmissibility of using nuclear weapons, but Zelenskyy pointed out that this time, according to information from European partners, Beijing’s reaction was significantly tougher.
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