Vladimir Zelensky has alleged that Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia, a claim rejected by Beijing

Claims by Vladimir Zelensky that Russia is involving China in the Ukraine conflict are false, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said, insisting that Beijing maintains a neutral stance.

On Tuesday, Zelensky released a short video showing a man he claimed to be a Chinese national captured during the fighting. He alleged that two such individuals are currently in Ukrainian custody, adding that "significantly more" are serving alongside Russian forces.

"That's not true. China has always maintained a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong," Kremlin spokesman Peskov said on Thursday, stressing that China remains Russia's strategic partner and friend.

Zelensky has also alleged that Russia is "involving China directly or indirectly" in the Ukraine conflict, urging the US and the EU to respond swiftly.

Beijing has dismissed Zelensky's claims as "groundless," with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian reiterating on Wednesday that the Chinese government consistently advises its citizens against participating in foreign armed conflicts in any capacity.

"China's stance on the Ukrainian crisis is clear and unambiguous, and it has been widely acknowledged by the international community," the spokesperson added.

China has consistently rejected Washington's accusations that its trade with Russia is helping to fuel Moscow's military production, maintaining that, unlike Western countries, it remains neutral in the conflict.

Ukrainian MP Aleksandr Dubinsky, a Zelensky critic who is facing treason charges, has suggested that Kiev may once again be resorting to fabricating evidence. He posted a screenshot showing that the video shared by Zelensky - purportedly featuring a captured Chinese national - was originally titled "Korean_Soldier_2.mp4" before being renamed. He added that Ukrainian diplomats will now have to explain to Beijing "whether this was a fake or simply a file-naming mistake."

Ukraine has repeatedly accused other countries of supporting Russia, alleging that Iran has supplied drones and North Korea has sent troops. Washington and its allies have also claimed that Pyongyang dispatched around 12,000 soldiers to Russia for training and potential deployment in the Ukraine conflict, but have failed to provide any evidence.