Ukraine’s Zelensky to China: there would be a ‘world war’ if you ally with Russia
- Ukrainian president called on Beijing to ‘make a pragmatic assessment’ of what is happening in the war-torn nation
- Earlier, the US said it was concerned China was considering supplying weapons to Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned China in a newspaper interview on Monday against supporting Russia in its war on Ukraine and said doing so would bring on a world war.
“For us, it is important that China does not support the Russian Federation in this war,” Zelensky told German daily Die Welt. “In fact, I would like it to be on our side. At the moment, however, I don’t think it’s possible.”
“But I do see an opportunity for China to make a pragmatic assessment of what is happening here,” he added. “Because if China allies itself with Russia, there will be a world war, and I do think that China is aware of that.”
Beijing rejects ‘false’ US claim that China may arm Russia
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Saturday warned top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi of consequences should China provide material support to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, saying in an interview after the two met that Washington was concerned Beijing was considering supplying weapons to Moscow.
China and Hungary are ready to work with other countries to bring current hostilities to a halt, Wang said in Budapest on Monday ahead of a visit to Moscow.
“China and Hungary are peace-loving countries, therefore, I am glad to meet you again,” Wang in a Facebook video during a meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto.
“Let me echo what we have just heard [from you] and jointly declare to the world that China and Hungary gladly work together with other peace-loving countries to bring the current hostilities to a halt as soon as possible.”
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Turning to Moldova, Zelensky told Die Welt that Ukraine had passed on to Moldovan President Maia Sandu intelligence suggesting that Russia was plotting a coup in Moldova.
“Maia Sandu never asked me for help, but she thanked me for the information. She knows our situation very well. Ukraine will always be ready to help Moldova,” he added.
The Kremlin said on Monday that Russia’s relations with Moldova were very tense and it accused Moldovan leaders of pursuing an anti-Russian agenda, one week after Chisinau said it had foiled a Russian coup attempt.
