China responds to Zelensky's peace summit claims

China has never "fanned fire or fueled the flames" of the Russia-Ukraine war, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

She said this in response to a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Russia, with the help of China, seeks to disrupt the Global Peace Summit in Switzerland, Ukrinform reports, citing The Guardian.

China believes all efforts should be recognized in supporting peace measures in the Russia-Ukraine war, Mao said, addressing a question on an upcoming peace summit in Switzerland in mid-June.

China attaches great importance to its relations with Ukraine and remains its largest trading partner, Mao said. She added that China's position on the peace conference is very "open and transparent."

"We believe that we can get the understanding and support of all parties," Mao added.

Zelensky said at a meeting with representatives of foreign media outlets on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security conference on June 2 that China was working to prevent countries from attending the peace summit and added that with China's support for Russia, the war would last longer.

"Regrettably, Russia, using Chinese influence on the region, using Chinese diplomats also, does everything to disrupt the peace summit. It is unfortunate that such a big, independent, powerful country as China is an instrument in the hands of Putin," Zelensky said.