Chinese arms promise disrupts G7 summit unity on Ukraine
14 June 2024 05:29
During the press conference after the G7 summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reminded Xi Jinping of his promise. "I spoke on the phone with the Chinese leader, and he said that he would not transfer weapons to Russia," stated Zelensky.
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On Thursday at the G7 summit in Apulia, southern Italy, Joe Biden and Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bilateral security agreement.
"The parties recognize that this agreement is a supporting bridge to Ukraine's future membership in NATO," the document states. The Ukrainian-American agreement is primarily aimed at strengthening Kyiv's defense capabilities against Russian invaders, Reuters explains.
Zelensky reminded Xi Jinping's words
After signing the document, a press conference was organized. Zelensky reminded that the Chinese leader had promised him that he would not sell weapons to Russia.
"I spoke on the phone with the Chinese leader, and he said that he would not transfer weapons to Russia. If he is a respected person, he will not do it, because he gave me his word," emphasized Zelensky.
Biden noted that Beijing does not supply weapons to Moscow, but it can transfer technology from China, which also constitutes assistance to the Russian Federation.
G7 summit
US President Joe Biden said on Thursday, during the G7 summit in Apulia, southern Italy, that the steps taken at this forum build stronger foundations for Ukraine's success, and the group has made very important progress regarding the use of frozen Russian assets to secure credit for Kyiv.
"The G7 agreements on Russian assets will remind Putin that 'we will not back down'," Biden declared. He added that a lasting peace for Ukraine must be built on its ability to defend itself.
"This progress regarding the use of frozen assets, as well as the signing of the Ukrainian-American security agreement on the sidelines of the summit, will show Putin that he cannot hold us hostage, that he cannot divide us," Biden stated during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
"We will allocate $68 billion (CAD) for a loan to Ukraine, and the funds securing this credit will come from the use of profits from frozen Russian assets in the EU and G7 countries," said European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen earlier.
