China’s foreign ministry earlier today dismissed Zelensky’s accusation as groundless.

While maintaining close economic ties with Russia during Moscow’s three-year war in Ukraine, China has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies any involvement in the war.

Zelensky’s administration today published an updated list of sanctioned entities.

The list, which also includes Russian companies, named Beijing Aviation And Aerospace Xianghui Technology Co Ltd, Rui Jin Machinery Co Ltd and Zhongfu Shenying Carbon Fiber Xining Co Ltd, all described as registered in China.

It did not give details of why they had been added to the sanctions list, which bans companies from doing business in Ukraine and freezes their assets there.

Ukraine exported US$8 billion of goods to China in 2021, mostly raw materials and agricultural products, while it imported from China just under US$11 billion, mainly in manufactured goods, according to the Ukrainian government.

Yesterday, Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv his government had evidence that Chinese firms were supplying what he described as artillery and gunpowder to Russia, and that Chinese entities are making some weapons on Russian soil.

He did not offer any evidence for the assertion.

A week earlier, Zelensky said Chinese nationals were fighting on Russia’s side in the war with Ukraine, including two who had been taken prisoner.

A Chinese diplomat was summoned to the Ukrainian foreign ministry to provide an explanation.

Ukrainian and US officials later said the men had signed up on their own initiative for money.