Extract from ABC News
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused China of helping Russia to disrupt an upcoming peace conference on the war in Ukraine.
Speaking at Asia's premier security conference, Mr Zelenskyy said, without providing details, that China was pressuring other countries and their leaders not to attend the upcoming talks in Switzerland.
"Russia, using Chinese influence in the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit," he said at a news conference at the Shangri-La defence forum.
"Regrettably, this is unfortunate that such a big independent powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin."
"That is not only support to Russia, that is basically support of war," he added.
China has staked out what it says is a neutral position on the war.
Its trade with Russia has grown, easing the economic impact of Western sanctions.
American, Ukrainian and other intelligence agencies say there is evidence that Chinese parts are winding up in Russian weaponry, even if China is not directly arming its neighbour.
China unlikely to attend peace summit
The Swiss had been hoping China would attend the peace conference in mid-June, but Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning signalled on Friday that that was unlikely.
China has been calling for a peace conference with equal participation from all sides, including Russia, which has not been invited.
"There is still a clear gap between the arrangements for the meeting and the demands of the Chinese side, as well as the general expectations of the international community," he said.
"This makes it difficult for China to participate in the meeting."
In a speech to the security conference earlier in the day, Mr Zelenskyy urged top defence officials to attend the upcoming talks in Switzerland, saying he was disappointed by some countries' failure to commit to joining.
Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun spoke before the Ukrainian president at the Shangri-La conference but he did not appear to be in the room when Mr Zelenskyy made his appeal.
Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine had proposals to make at the summit as a basis for peace, addressing nuclear security, food security, the release of prisoners of war and the return of Ukrainian children abducted by Russia.
"Time is running out, and the children are growing up in the Putin-land where they are taught to hate their homeland," he said.
At the same time, Mr Zelenskyy said Ukraine was "ready to hear various proposals and thoughts that lead us … to an end of the war and a sustainable and just peace".
The greater the participation, the more likely it would be that Russia would have to listen, he said.
"The global majority can ensure with their involvement that what is agreed upon is truly implemented," he said.
Mr Zelenskyy said he planned to meet one-on-one with Singapore's prime minister and would urge him to participate in-person in the Switzerland talks.
"The same goes for the countries in the region," he said through an interpreter. "We truly count on you supporting this summit, and that you will be present in Switzerland."
From Singapore, he may travel to Manila to invite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to the summit in person, two senior Philippine government officials said.
Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who shared the stage with Mr Zelenskyy, did not say whether his country's leaders would attend, but did note Singapore had condemned the invasion and provided Ukraine with military ambulances.
"We stand with you, and I think your appearance at this Shangri-La Dialogue is the epitome of what we are all hoping for, a rules-based order that guarantees the security and survival of large nations and small," he said.
The Chinese defence minister did not specifically mention the Switzerland meetings in his address to the forum, but did say: "On the Ukraine crisis, China has been promoting peace talks with a responsible attitude."
He added that China had not provided weapons to either side of the conflict.
"We have never done anything to fan the flames," he said.
"We stand firmly on the side of peace and dialogue."
AP
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