Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has taken what appears to be a veiled swipe at China over its tighter controls on drone exports.
Beijing introduced two-year controls on foreign sales of civilian drones and related equipment last year, after facing claims that Ukraine and Russia were both “weaponizing” Chinese products. It further adjusted the rules in July, with the new restrictions coming into force on September 1.
In a social media post on Monday, Zelensky appeared to hit out at the measures, writing: “Some largest states exporting drone components are introducing export restrictions. We know what to do so that those restrictions are not critical to us.”
Last year, Russia and Ukraine both reportedly rearranged supply chains to continue the flow of Chinese drone components through intermediaries. There have been concerns in Kiev that the latest adjustment will cause further disruption, making the acquisition process lengthier and more expensive.
Ukrainian officials claim they have made significant strides in domestic manufacturing of weapons, particularly drones. However, the country still relies heavily on foreign parts, including from China.
“Logistics alone takes five to six months, and there is also time required for manufacturing,” Artyom Vyunnik, the CEO of a Ukrainian drone producer, said in an interview in January. Combined with red tape related to the military nature of contracts, drone makers have problems adapting promptly to the changing demands on the front line, he added.
Zelensky has recently directed several barbs at China, which he claims is taking Russia’s side in the conflict. Last week, he accused Beijing of colluding with Brazil to advocate what he called a “destructive” peace proposal. The Ukrainian leader was also unhappy that Kiev was not approached to approve the proposal.
While preparing for a so-called ‘peace summit’ in Switzerland in the summer, Zelensky denounced China as a Russian “tool,” claiming that Beijing was secretly working to undermine the event on Moscow’s behalf. Russia did not attend the gathering, which it called detached from reality and irrelevant.
China maintains that it is neutral in the Ukraine conflict, and that it is seeking an end to the fighting and a resolution to address the concerns of both parties. Beijing has explained its restrictions on drone exports as a desire to prevent their misuse for military purposes.