MOSCOW — Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko on Saturday dismissed claims by Ukrainian officials that Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, calling the allegations “completely untrue.”

“I can say that this is completely untrue, to put it mildly,” Rudenko told the state-run TASS news agency, responding to Kyiv’s accusations.

He also emphasized that China maintains “a very balanced and verified position” regarding the conflict in Ukraine, adding that Beijing has consistently supported a political resolution to the crisis.

The remarks came two days after Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also rejected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s assertion that Chinese military personnel were involved in the war.

In a regular press briefing on Thursday, Lin urged “relevant parties” to view China’s stance “correctly and with clarity” and to refrain from making “irresponsible remarks.”

China has positioned itself as a neutral actor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, offering a 12-point peace plan early last year and maintaining regular dialogue with both Moscow and Kyiv.

However, Western officials have expressed concern about growing military and economic cooperation between Beijing and Moscow since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022.

The Kremlin and Beijing have repeatedly stated that their partnership is not directed against any third country, describing their ties as a “strategic comprehensive partnership.” — Agencies