Discussions erupted on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Ankara regarding China's role in the Ukrainian conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists about a sharp shift in Beijing's stance: for the first time, China has issued an ultimatum to Russia, warning against any talk of using nuclear weapons.
Beijing's Ultimatum
According to the Ukrainian leader, the Chinese side reacted extremely harshly to statements by Russian media regarding a possible nuclear response to Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) strikes. Zelenskyy emphasized that this is an unprecedented step: Beijing has clearly stated that even discussing the use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable. "It is very important to emphasize that not only Europeans, not only America, but also China. And I think this is the first time they have reacted very clearly and very harshly," the president stated.
Talks with Trump and Europe's stance
The topic of China was one of the central themes during Zelenskyy's meeting with Donald Trump. The leaders discussed Beijing's role in the war, its potential influence on the course of the conflict, and possible scenarios for its involvement. Zelenskyy asked to keep the details of this part of the conversation confidential, noting that they remain between him and Trump.
At the same time, several European leaders reported contacts with Chinese representatives on the sidelines of the summit. According to them, Beijing has adopted a noticeably tougher stance compared to previous periods. "The situation has changed a little," added Zelenskyy, noting that European partners confirmed this shift.
Context: Nuclear threats and aid to Ukraine
Zelenskyy's statement came against the backdrop of recent comments by Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, who stated that Russia is ready to use nuclear weapons under certain conditions. This caused a serious reaction at the international level, including from China.
The NATO summit in Ankara also adopted a declaration to allocate 70 billion euros in military aid to Ukraine in 2026 and the same amount in 2027. One of the key issues of the negotiations was strengthening Ukraine's air defense and licensing the production of Patriot systems.
According to the Financial Times, Donald Trump unexpectedly changed his tone towards Ukraine in Ankara. European diplomats explained this briefly: "Trump loves winners".
Three main summit themes
According to Zelenskyy, the three most actively discussed topics at the NATO summit in Ankara were Ukraine, the Middle East, and China. This highlights the growing attention of the international community to Beijing's role in global conflicts and its potential influence on their resolution.
