Ukraine’s decision to present the captured Chinese nationals before the media rasied questions whether it can be a calculated political message aimed at the international community.
While the move risks breaching international humanitarian law, which prohibits exposing prisoners of war to the public, the Ukrainian government seemingly weighed the reputational risk against the strategic value of showing the world that Chinese nationals, despite Beijing’s repeated claims of neutrality, were now part of the Russian military campaign.
During the press conference held on Monday, the captured Chinese fighters, who spoke Mandarin with the help of a translator and sat under the watchful eye of armed guards, insisted they acted independently and were lured by slick recruitment videos and the promise of higher wages.
The interaction with the media marked the first time Ukraine had publicly presented Chinese POWs, even though it had earlier platformed fighters from Nepal and African countries.
As per CNN, the timing is key. Kyiv’s move seems directed at Washington and Brussels as it seeks attention from the United States and is concerned about warming ties between the European Union and China.
With US-China tensions escalating and the European Union exploring closer trade cooperation with Beijing, Ukraine may be attempting to influence global perceptions of China’s role in the conflict.
Anders Puck Nielsen of the Royal Danish Defence College was quoted by CNN saying, “Suddenly it seems there might be potential for the Europeans and the Chinese to find common ground on other questions as well. It has clearly been a political move to really emphasise this aspect (of Chinese fighters in the Russian army)”.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced earlier this month that several hundred Chinese citizens were fighting alongside Russian troops, raising questions about how deeply Beijing was involved.
While stopping short of accusing the Chinese state of direct involvement, Zelenskyy said, “We are not saying that someone gave any command, we do not have such information,” but added that Ukraine believes “Beijing was aware of what was happening”.
This coincides with Ukraine’s broader efforts to expose potential support for Russia beyond the diplomatic and economic level, especially from Beijing, which Nato has labelled a “decisive enabler” of the war.
China swiftly condemned the move, calling it “manipulation and hype.” As per news agency AFP, Beijing said it was verifying the details but insisted it had always advised its citizens to stay away from conflict zones. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian warned, “We urge the relevant parties to correctly and soberly understand the role of China and not to release irresponsible remarks.”
