One of the most significant new stories related to Ukraine this week is that the UK is accusing China of providing or preparing to provide lethal aid to Russia for use in the war against Ukraine.
Defense Secretary Grant Shapps told a news conference that US and British defense intelligence had evidence that “lethal aid is now, or will be, flowing from China to Russia and into Ukraine.” He called this a “significant development.”
The Chinese Embassy in the UK called Shapps’ accusation totally groundless.
Western nations have provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons and aid since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started in 2022. Britain is, for the first time, accusing China of working to supply Russia with weapons for use in Ukraine, according to the media report.
“We urge the UK to stop its baseless accusations against China, stop fanning the flames on the Ukraine issue, seriously reflect on its role in international peace and security issues, and truly do something in the interests of world peace and justice,” the embassy spokesperson said.
“China is neither the creator of, nor a party to the Ukraine crisis, nor has the country provided lethal weapons to any party involved,” a Chinese envoy said, refuting the UK representative’s unreasonable accusations against China at a UN Security Council briefing on Ukraine on Monday.
“China has the right to conduct normal economic and trade cooperation with all countries, including Russia. China has always had very strict controls on the export of dual-use items,” said Geng Shuang, China’s deputy permanent representative to the UN.
Also on Thursday morning, the Kremlin said “in-depth dialogue” was needed to reduce rising tensions between Russia and the West – particularly with regards to nuclear issues.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the “collective West” of refusing to engage with Russia despite the potential dangers.
More top stories
Russian forces have taken over the village of Klishchiivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region, close to the city of Bakhmut, report Russian news agencies.
At least nine people have been injured in a Russian air attack on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.
Russia accused Ukraine of using a drone to attack a non-nuclear facility at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, causing no critical damage
Moscow said it is bolstering its efforts to protect its energy infrastructure from drone attacks.
Six children were handed over to Ukraine by Russia and reunited with their families, after a deal was brokered by Qatar.
Heavy fighting in eastern Ukraine forcing troops to engage in ‘manoeuvers’
Heavy fighting in the Pokrovsk area in eastern Ukraine has forced Ukrainian troops to engage in “manoeuvers,” the Ukrainian military’s general staff have said.
Their report said Pokrovsk, northwest of the Russian-held city of Donetsk, remains the front’s “hottest” sector.
Volodymyr Zelensky referred to the region and adjacent areas as “extraordinarily difficult” in his nightly video address.
Western allies taking too long on military support decisions, Zelensky says
Volodymyr Zelensky has said allies are taking too long when it comes to decisions on military support for Ukraine.
In an interview with Reuters, the Ukrainian leader said every decision they were coming to was “late by around one year.”
“But it is what it is: One big step forward, but before that two steps back. So we need to change the paradigm a little bit,” he said.
“When we’re quick, they fall behind. And then there’s a gap – six, eight months of unpassed (aid) packages, and then two-three months of supplies – and then a year goes by. We would like not to lose the advantage.”
Zelensky also said Ukraine had never used Western weapons on Russian territory.
Russia begins drills involving nuclear weapons
Russia’s defense ministry has said it has begun a round of drills involving tactical nuclear weapons.
The exercises were announced by Russian authorities this month in response to remarks by senior Western officials about the possibility of deeper involvement in the war in Ukraine.
It was the first time Russia has publicly announced drills involving tactical nuclear weapons, although its strategic nuclear forces regularly hold exercises.
According to the ministry’s statement, the first stage of the new drills includes nuclear-capable Kinzhal and Iskander missiles.
The maneuvers are taking place in the southern military district, which consists of Russian regions in the south.
Russia’s latest non-strategic nuclear weapons drills are being watched closely by Ukraine and the West, coming at a time when Moscow is warning Kyiv’s Western allies against any direct involvement in the war in Ukraine.
Announcing the exercises earlier in May, Russia’s Ministry of Defense directly linked the exercises to “provocative statements and threats of individual Western officials against the Russian Federation.”
Earlier this week, Ukraine’s President called on allies to get more directly involved in the war, such as by helping to intercept Russian missiles.
The Kremlin accused Zelensky of “hysterics” and said Kyiv’s request was due to “unfavorable conditions” for Ukraine on the battlefield.
Compiled by Ana Dumbadze
