Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia and China of undermining peace summit
www.bbc.com
Both countries are trying to dissuade others from attending the upcoming event, Ukraine's president says.
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    It is also seen as propping up the Russian economy by purchasing vast quantities of oil and gas, softening the impact of Western sanctions.Mr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Shangri-la Dialogue in Singapore attended by defence chiefs from around the world, including US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese defence minister Dong Jun.The visit was aimed at drumming up support from Asian countries.

    A formal invitation was not issued to Russia as Moscow had told Switzerland early on that it did not want to participate, the BBC understands.Mr Zelensky claimed that Russia was attempting to disrupt the summit by pressuring countries not to attend, through threats of a blockade of agricultural goods, chemical goods, and energy.Certain countries were assisting this “diplomatic disruption”, he added.He named China later on, and said it was “working for countries to not come to the peace summit”, unlike the US which has promised to send a high-level representative and is encouraging others to attend.Russia was doing “everything to disrupt the peace summit” by using “Chinese influence on the region” and diplomats to do so, he said.

    “Otherwise, it is difficult for the conference to play a substantive role in restoring peace,” a spokeswoman said on Friday.Mr Zelensky also said China’s leader Xi Jinping had earlier promised him they would “stand aside in this war and would not support Russia with weapons”.But, he added, there are now “elements that are part of Russia’s weaponry” that come from China, according to various intelligence agencies.

    It estimates about 70% of the machine tools and 90% of the microelectronics Russia imports come from China.Earlier on Sunday, Chinese defence minister Dong Jun said they do not supply weapons to either party of the Ukraine conflict.He also said they have put “strict controls” on the exports of dual-use technology, which are items that can be used for civilian and military purposes.

    Asked by the BBC if he requested the removal of limitations, he said he was grateful to the US for allowing Ukraine to use the HIMARS artillery rocket system by the border of the Kharkiv region which has seen intense fighting.“Is that sufficient?

    Russia has warned of “serious consequences” of this move.This weekend marked the second time Mr Zelensky has visited Asia since the war began.

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