Zelenskyy Warns of Deepening Russia–China Military Cooperation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that Russia and China are stepping up cooperation in the military-industrial sector, citing fresh intelligence that highlights Moscow’s growing dependence on Beijing.
In a statement shared on social media on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said a new report from the head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service showed that Russia increasingly relies on Chinese investment, technology and political backing as its war against Ukraine drags on.
According to the Ukrainian leader, partner intelligence agencies have also observed intensified coordination between Beijing and Moscow in defence-related industries. He said he had instructed Ukraine’s foreign intelligence service to monitor the cooperation more closely, particularly in relation to Ukraine’s national security and the interests of its Western allies.
“Global security must not be weakened, because Russia’s appetite for aggression has not diminished,” Zelenskyy said.
The intelligence report also pointed to what Zelenskyy described as the growing “de-sovereignisation” of parts of Russian territory in China’s favour, including increased access to resource-rich land and the expanded sale of valuable raw materials to Beijing.
China, Russia’s most important strategic partner, has strengthened ties with Moscow since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While Beijing maintains that it is neutral in the conflict, it has resisted Western calls to pressure Moscow to end the war, even as Russia leans heavily on China to cushion the impact of international sanctions.
Relations between the two countries have continued to deepen politically and economically. In September, Russian and Chinese leaders promoted a new multipolar world order at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. More recently, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to expand investment and boost economic cooperation during talks with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, describing closer ties as a “shared strategic choice”. Xi cited sectors such as aerospace, energy, agriculture and the digital economy as key areas for collaboration.
Zelenskyy’s warning comes as Ukraine prepares to submit updated proposals to US negotiators aimed at ending the war, amid renewed pressure from US President Donald Trump for a settlement.
The Ukrainian president is expected to brief leaders of about 30 allied countries on Thursday during a video call with members of the so-called “coalition of the willing”, led by France and the United Kingdom. The French presidency confirmed the meeting would take place.
European allies continue to back Zelenskyy’s insistence that any peace deal must be fair and capable of deterring future Russian aggression, amid fears that a rapid agreement pushed by Washington could favour the Kremlin.
Responding to remarks by Trump suggesting that Kyiv was delaying elections because of the war, Zelenskyy said Ukraine would be ready to hold a vote within three months if its partners guaranteed security during the process and if changes were made to electoral laws.
“To hold elections, two issues must be resolved,” Zelenskyy said. “First, security – how to conduct them under missile strikes and attacks. Second, the question of our military – how they would vote.”
He added that Ukraine’s legal framework would also need adjustment, noting that elections are prohibited under the country’s current martial law provisions.
