In a bold move to disprove China’s denials, Ukraine parades Chinese prisoners of war, risking violation of international humanitarian law. Zelensky seeks global attention amid waning Western support.
April 17, 2025 | Kyiv/Beijing:
In a dramatic turn in the Russia-Ukraine war, President Volodymyr Zelensky has publicly presented two captured Chinese nationals—allegedly fighting alongside Russian troops—in an effort to discredit Beijing’s claims of non-involvement. The Ukrainian government has faced criticism for breaching international humanitarian law by parading prisoners of war (PoWs) before the press, but Kyiv defends the action as a necessary move to expose China’s covert backing of Moscow.
This unprecedented display came shortly after China denied accusations that over 150 of its citizens were active in Ukraine’s conflict zones. With President Zelensky’s green light, the Ukrainian military showcased the captured men in combat fatigues during a press conference in Donetsk, providing documents and passports to confirm their Chinese nationality.
Humanitarian Norms Shattered According to the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war must be protected from public curiosity and media exposure—a rule Kyiv has knowingly broken. But as U.S. support fades and China’s alleged indirect military involvement grows, Ukrainian leadership appears determined to play hardball on the international stage.
The Chinese PoWs Speak Out Speaking via a translator, the two prisoners shared stories of economic desperation, claiming financial rewards and joblessness post-COVID as driving factors behind their enlistment. One revealed he was promised 250,000 rubles (approx. $3,000) monthly—double his expected wage back home. While initially hoping for a medical support role, he was instead subjected to military training and sent to the frontlines.
CNN, granted exclusive media access, verified the men’s accounts and was also shown a military contract signed by another Chinese national. The document indicated an obligation to engage in combat and participate in security operations beyond Russia’s borders.
China Denies, Kyiv Doubles Down Beijing reacted sharply to Ukraine’s claims, with its foreign ministry stating, “China is not a party to the Ukrainian crisis.” It urged restraint in rhetoric and accused Kyiv of making “irresponsible remarks.”
However, Zelensky countered by stating Ukraine’s intelligence has tracked 155 Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine, adding that Kyiv believes Beijing is “aware of what is happening.” Though he stopped short of accusing China of a formal policy, Ukraine’s government intends to investigate deeper.
Strategic Calculations The move also appears calculated to catch the attention of Washington—especially President Donald Trump, whose administration is embroiled in a high-stakes trade war with China. By revealing direct Chinese involvement in combat, Kyiv hopes to reposition itself at the center of Western strategic interests, especially amid growing concerns about Beijing’s global ambitions.
With the war entering another brutal year and allies showing signs of fatigue, Ukraine’s message is clear: the world can no longer afford to look away—not from Russia, and certainly not from China.
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Ukraine-China tensions, Russia-Ukraine war, Chinese PoWs, Zelensky press conference, Beijing military support, international law violations, Geneva Conventions, US-China rivalry, Donald Trump foreign policy, Kyiv diplomacy, CNN exclusive, economic conscription