KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios on HBO that he does not see China as a major geopolitical threat, a stance that could cause him friction with the Biden administration and Congress, although he will promise to limit control technological sectors.
Why it’s important: Zelensky’s comments represent a break with the national security leaders of the two major political parties trying to rally allies to deal with the Chinese Communist Party’s threat.
Driving the news: Asked about the emerging consensus in Washington that China is the No. 1 geopolitical threat, Zelensky said, “I can’t agree with that because in Ukraine we don’t feel it.”
- “There’s really a kind of cold war between China and the United States,” he said.
- “We know that U.S. businesses are represented in Ukraine, but at the same time, it is true that Chinese businesses are also represented there.”
- “I think that regardless of the nation, the nationality, if the people, if the companies, if a particular country, treat you with respect, respecting your people and your borders, they can be present in your country.”
Between lines: There is only so much influence that the US has to drive Zelensky away from China. Beijing has crushed Washington with vaccine diplomacy, a painful reality that Zelensky discussed in the “Axios on HBO” interview.
- Zelensky has tried to get the highest quality American vaccines for his country. And it has pushed Europeans to seek help. But given the difficulty he has in getting doses, he said he was willing to work with Beijing to get large amounts of safe COVID vaccine for the Ukrainian people.
- It is necessary to emphasize: The United States did not offer its superior vaccines to Ukraine and in fact took steps to make it difficult to obtain Zelensky.
Behind the scenes: How to handle China is a growing painful point in US-Ukraine relations. Trump administration officials privately expressed concern that China, which became Ukraine’s largest trading partner in 2019, would flood Ukraine with easy cash and, in return, join critical sectors. of Ukraine, including defense and telecommunications.
- U.S. officials are concerned that China is stealing intelligence secrets and wreaking havoc on allies who are increasingly forced into Beijing.
Yes, but: Senior US government officials have been trying for years to persuade Ukraine to stop China from buying Motor Sich, an aero engine manufacturer that is the crown jewel of Ukraine’s defense sector.
- In the interview, Zelensky said for the first time definitely that he will not allow China or any other country to buy a controlling stake in Motor Sich.
- “Never,” he said. “Not under me. I haven’t been here all my life … [But] in my time [in office], definitely not.
The summary: Russia is a much more imminent concern for Ukraine. But when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, China never condemned Russia’s action. Thus, while Zelensky cannot call China a threat, he knows he cannot trust the Russia-Ukraine crisis.