During a press briefing on the outskirts of the G7 summit in Italy, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described a phone conversation with China’s leader, Xi Jinping, in which Xi reportedly pledged that Beijing would not supply weapons to Russia for the war in Ukraine. Zelensky said he spoke with Xi and that if the Chinese president keeps his word, the pledge should hold. Time would tell whether the commitment would be honored. The remarks came as Zelensky addressed reporters amid discussions with G7 leaders visiting the Italian coast.
Beside him, U.S. President Joe Biden indicated that China’s stance toward Russia had been a topic of the opening-day discussions at the G7 gathering. The group—comprising the United States, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, Italy, and Japan, along with the European Union—confronts concerns about Beijing’s possible support for Moscow in ways that could bolster the war effort. Leaders signaled a coordinated effort to curb any external assistance that could strengthen Russia’s military capabilities in Ukraine.
Biden asserted that while Beijing may not directly ship weapons to Russia, its broader help—through arms and the technologies used to produce them—still contributes to Moscow’s war machine. He framed China’s involvement as more than a diplomatic position; it extends to supply chains and technical components essential to weapons production, elements that Washington views as critical to sustaining Russia’s military activities.
Earlier in the week, just before the summit opened, the United States announced sanctions targeting more than 300 individuals and entities, including Chinese firms accused of selling sophisticated semiconductors to Moscow. These chips play a role in the manufacture of weapons used in the Ukraine conflict. The sanctions were described as a wide-ranging effort to disrupt networks that support Russia’s modernization and procurement efforts, aiming to cut off external sources that could feed the conflict. Officials framed the measures as part of a broader strategy to deter further material support for Moscow, stressing that accountability would cover actors operating across borders.
In the broader diplomatic context, Western leaders emphasized unity among allies in responding to the war in Ukraine. Their discussions reflected shared concern about Europe’s security, the resilience of global supply chains, and the impact of outside support for Moscow. While no immediate, decisive actions were announced, the tone underscored a resolve to maintain pressure on Russia through synchronized diplomacy and economic penalties. The goal remains to ensure that any state assisting the Kremlin faces consequences, reinforcing the international expectation of a unified, sustained response to aggression in Ukraine. Analysts note that the ultimate results will depend on governments translating declarations into concrete policy moves and adapting to evolving developments on the ground, including shifts in military strategy, sanctions, and diplomatic channels. [citation: official G7 communiques and subsequent policy analyses] The overarching message from leaders highlighted steadfast support for Ukraine, vigilance over external assistance to Russia, and a commitment to collective action when norms are challenged. The conversations are expected to continue in future meetings as the international community weighs humanitarian, political, and security implications of the conflict. [citation: ongoing diplomatic coverage] The direction of these discussions will likely influence future policy decisions, including potential sanctions, trade considerations, and talks aimed at reducing tensions and pursuing a durable peace in the region.