Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested that Moscow may have "stolen" drone technology from China. He said that Chinese nationals are working at a drone production site in Russia.

The Ukrainian president made the remarks during a press conference in Kyiv on Tuesday, days after accusing China of supplying Russia with weapons and gunpowder.

Zelensky said he instructed officials to send information about the investigation's findings to the Chinese government through official channels.

He announced that "separately," he asked the Ukrainian Security Service to transfer broader information to the Chinese side regarding the Chinese citizens he said were working at the drone factory.

"We believe that Russia may have entered into an agreement with these citizens outside of the agreements with the Chinese leadership and stolen this technology," he added.

Zelensky appeared to soften his tone toward China by suggesting that Russia may have acquired drone technology from China without Beijing's knowledge, even though Beijing maintains its neutrality regarding the war in Ukraine.

Earlier this month, the Ukrainian president accused Chinese officials of being aware that Russia was recruiting Chinese citizens via social media to fight as soldiers. He added that Kyiv was trying to assess whether the recruits were receiving instructions from Beijing.

Kyiv's accusations set a precedent, as it was the first time the world's second-largest economy had been accused of providing direct military assistance to Moscow, a charge Beijing vehemently denies.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry announced that it had summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun and expressed "Ukraine's grave concerns about his country's involvement in the war." It also expressed deep concern about "Chinese companies' involvement in the manufacture of military products in Russia."

For its part, China previously affirmed its support for peace efforts in Ukraine and said that relevant parties should avoid "irresponsible statements," in an apparent rebuke after Zelensky made comments about Chinese fighting for Russia.

There has been no comment from Russia or China on the Ukrainian president's new statements yet.

France 24/Reuters