Scenes of devastation in Ukraine after nearly two years of fighting with Russia (Photo: Reuters).
Reuters quoted two sources from senior Ukrainian officials as saying that China appeared to have warned Kiev that bilateral relations between the two countries could be damaged because Ukraine put more than 10 Beijing companies on the list of "international sponsors of war".
The warning appeared to have been conveyed to Ukraine last month at a meeting between the Chinese ambassador in Kiev and senior Ukrainian government officials, the sources said.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry, the Chinese Embassy in Kiev and the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry have not commented on this information.
Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, China has maintained a neutral stance. China has also sent a message that it is ready to act as a mediator between the two sides.
Ukraine has listed 48 companies globally, including 14 from China, as “international sponsors of war” whose business activities it says have supported Russia’s efforts in its neighbor.
China has the most companies on the list, followed by the US, France and Germany with eight, four and four companies respectively.
“The Chinese ambassador said the move could have a negative impact on relations between the two countries,” a source said.
The source added that China did not set any conditions for Ukraine but simply expressed its views on the list.
A second source said Beijing could link the issue to China's purchases of Ukrainian grain.
China was Kiev’s largest trading partner before the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022. It remains a major customer for Ukrainian grain, sunflower oil and iron ore.
Ukraine has been relatively cautious in recent months about not offending the world's second-largest economy and has repeatedly called on Beijing to join Kiev's diplomatic efforts for peace.
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