Russia-Ukraine war: China calls US 'leading instigator' of the Ukraine crisis

Amid Russia-Ukraine war, China described United States as 'culprit' and accused country of instigating war in Ukraine while ding that NATO should have been disbanded following break-up of Soviet Union. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian also said that NATO's action of increasing from 16 to 30, moving eastward more than 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) to somewhere near Russian border pushed Russia toward wall step by step. 

"As culprit and leing instigator of Ukraine crisis, US has led NATO to eng in five rounds of eastward expansion in last two deces after 1999," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters at a daily briefing on Friday.

China has claimed of t taking take sides in conflict. However, it has also declared a limits partnership with Moscow refusing to condemn invasion, opposes sanctions on Russia and routinely amplifies Russian disinformation about conflict, including t referring to it as an invasion or a war in keeping with Russian practice.

Chinese official was speaking as Chinese and European Union leers were meeting virtually for a summit at which Ukraine was expected to dominate discussions. EU officials say y are looking for a commitment from China to t undermine sanctions and assist in efforts to halt fighting.

Russia-Ukraine war enters day 38

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday declared “I do t discuss any of my orders” as Russia continued to blame Kyiv for "helicopter attack" on oil depot in Belgorod. When asked if he h ordered such an attack, Zelenskyy said, “I'm sorry I do t discuss any of my orders as commander in chief, leer of this state. re are things which I only share with military armed forces of Ukraine and when y talk with me”. 

Zelenskyy’s remarks came after Russia accused Ukraine of attacking a fuel depot in Belgorod on Friday. If Ukraine h ordered it, it would have been Kyiv’s first attack inside Russian territory. "You need to understand that on that territory that you mentioned y were placing ir shooting systems and were firing missiles mselves," he ded.