KYIV – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told “Axios on HBO” that he does not see China as a major geopolitical threat – a position that could cause friction with the Biden administration and Congress – even when he vowed to limit Chinese control of critics technological sectors.
Why does it matter: Zelensky’s comments are a break with US national security leaders from both major political parties trying to rally allies to deal with the threat of the Chinese Communist Party.
News management: Asked about the emerging consensus in Washington that China is the first geopolitical threat, Zelensky said: “I can’t agree with that, because in Ukraine we don’t feel that.”
- “There is really a kind of cold war between China and the United States,” he said.
- “We know that US business is represented in Ukraine, but at the same time, it is true that Chinese business is also represented.”
- “I think that, regardless of nation, nationality, if people, if business, if a certain country, treats you with respect, respecting your people and borders, they can be present in your country.”
Between the lines: There is only so much leverage that the US needs to push Zelensky away from China. Beijing has crushed Washington against vaccine diplomacy – a painful reality that Zelensky discussed in the “Axios on HBO” interview.
- Zelensky tried to obtain high-quality American vaccines for his country. And he pushed the Europeans for their help. But given the difficulty in securing doses, he said he was willing to work with Beijing to get large amounts of safe COVID vaccine for the Ukrainian people.
- Not worth anything: The US did not offer its superior vaccines to Ukraine and, in fact, took steps to make it harder for Zelensky to obtain them.
Behind the scenes: China’s management is a growing point in US-Ukraine relations. Trump administration officials have privately expressed concern that China – which became Ukraine’s main trading partner in 2019 – is flooding Ukraine with light cash and is instead joining Ukraine’s critical sectors, including defense and telecommunications. .
- US officials are worried that China is stealing intelligence and exerting an unfavorable influence on allies who are increasingly subject to Beijing.
Yes but: Senior US government officials have been trying for years to persuade Ukraine to stop China from buying Motor Sich, an aircraft engine manufacturer that is the crown jewel of Ukraine’s defense sector.
- In the interview, Zelensky stated for the first time definitively 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’m not here for life … [But] in my time [in office], of course not.
Bottom line: Russia is a much more imminent concern for Ukraine. But when Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, China never condemned Russia’s action. So while Zelensky may not call China a threat, he knows China cannot be invoked in a Russia-Ukraine crisis.