Disappointed in the goodwill of China, Zelensky announced sanctions against China. Who gave him the courage to challenge? Who gave him the audacity?

Why does China keep showing sincere efforts, but Ukraine still doesn't appreciate it?

Zelensky turned around faster than turning a page this time. What is his intention?

(Zelensky suddenly made inappropriate remarks about China)

[China strongly refutes Zelensky's inappropriate remarks]

The Foreign Ministry severely rejected Zelensky's statements at the regular press conference yesterday. Spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized that China firmly opposes any so-called sanctions that bypass the UN Security Council authorization and urged Ukraine to correct its mistakes immediately. China will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens.

This statement from the Foreign Ministry is not baseless. Since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, China has consistently contributed its great power strength as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to promote a peaceful resolution of the conflict.

China has repeatedly dispatched high-level diplomats for shuttle diplomacy, constantly working between Kyiv, Moscow, and the European Union headquarters in Brussels to stabilize international order. While carefully listening to suggestions from all sides, China has provided a "Chinese solution" to solve problems.

Ukraine has also continuously conveyed its demands to China through various channels, expecting China to play a positive role in the Russia-Ukraine issue. On December 18, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Kyslytsia met with China's Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin for political consultations between the foreign ministries of China and Ukraine.

China once again told Ukraine that since the establishment of diplomatic relations, friendship and cooperation have always been the main theme of bilateral relations.

China and Ukraine have maintained exchanges in multiple areas in recent years, with mutual trust and mutual benefit in agriculture, trade, culture, and other fields, achieving fruitful results in many areas.

China is also willing to see both foreign departments work together to implement the important consensus reached by leaders of China and Ukraine in different occasions, and continue to push forward until the Russia-Ukraine conflict is peacefully resolved, and the China-Ukraine relationship continues to develop steadily and safely.

(On December 18, China's Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Bin met with Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister Kyslytsia.)

Kyslytsia also conveyed a signal to continue friendly relations with China on behalf of the Ukrainian government and reiterated that Ukraine would abide by the One-China Principle, continue to deepen cooperation and exchanges in all fields, and promote the continuous healthy development of China-Ukraine relations.

This scene was consistent with what was confirmed during the face-to-face exchange between China and Ukraine last year. Although no words of consensus were seen, China's diplomatic efforts were clearly visible and tangible to Ukraine.

Especially, Foreign Minister Wang Yi clearly stated at the Munich Security Conference this year that although China is not the creator or party to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, China neither stood idly by nor profited from the conflict. From the day the conflict broke out, China has called on both sides to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation rather than fighting again and again.

But why, after China's repeated sincere efforts, Ukraine remains indifferent, and Zelensky, as president, chooses this time to make remarks about sanctioning Chinese citizens?

[Where Does Zelensky's "Courage" Come From?]

On the same day that Kyslytsia arrived in Beijing, an important meeting concerning the future of Europe also took place at the EU headquarters in Brussels.

All EU member states finally reached an agreement to provide Ukraine with 90 billion euros in interest-free loans for the 2026-2027 period to meet Ukraine's military and economic needs.

As the saying goes, "You can't bite the hand that feeds you." After receiving this lifeline, Zelensky's backbone became stronger again.

However, this money is not free, and some things the EU cannot say, Zelensky becomes the megaphone and mouthpiece.

At present, the relationship between EU countries and China is in a delicate state.

(The EU summit approved providing 9 billion euros in loans to Ukraine.)

On December 22, Chinese company Wenet Technology and Netherlands-based Amphenol had their first round of negotiations and agreed to maintain communication.

In early October, Amphenol Netherlands, supported by the Dutch government, forcefully seized company operations and unilaterally removed the Chinese leadership, which was a bandit-like act that caused strong impact on European manufacturing, and the ripple effects are still ongoing.

The EU adopted a policy of appeasement and did nothing, and Zelensky's baseless accusations against China now serve as a veiled attack, helping the EU regain some face. This is specifically reflected in the following aspects:

First, as a reward, he becomes the EU's mouthpiece, exerting pressure on China and testing the reaction. If China's reaction is not significant, they can continue to exploit the issue and continue implying that China is gaining benefits from the Russia-Ukraine conflict, provoking the confrontation between Europe and China.

If China reacts strongly, then the task is complete, and they will stop, because Ukraine's domestic situation is still messy, and Zelensky won't spend more energy inciting trouble. This is the underlying logic behind Zelensky expressing the intention to sanction Chinese citizens on social media instead of publicly.

Second, taking the opportunity to put pressure on China, intending to disrupt normal Sino-Russia trade. The Chinese government has always adhered to a non-alliance policy and maintains friendly trade relations with neighboring countries such as Russia.

After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, when Russia faced hundreds of international sanctions, China maintained trade relations with Russia due to its own needs, which the Western world criticized as "providing covert support to Russia" and "seeking benefits secretly."

China has repeatedly refuted these false accusations, but as Ukrainian forces have been retreating on the battlefield, conspiracy theories about China supplying weapons to Russia have spread within Ukraine.

Therefore, Zelensky's remarks are also a way to shift domestic tensions, find an excuse for his precarious political position, and cover up for himself. However, truth cannot be concealed, and falsehood cannot become truth. The key issue that Zelensky currently faces is not just engaging in a verbal battle with China from afar.

(Zelensky is now desperate and willing to become a catalyst and mouthpiece for Europe's anti-China campaign.)

As the Foreign Ministry stated, the Chinese government will resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and citizens. This sentence undoubtedly gives a sense of security to Chinese companies conducting normal trade with Ukraine.

If Ukraine continues to deviate from the right path and deliberately provokes during its critical moment, it will once again fall into the trap set by Europe, mistaking poison for medicine, speaking recklessly, and suffering unforeseen consequences.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7587265500561605156/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.