KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian forces have detained two Chinese nationals allegedly fighting alongside Russian troops in the eastern Donetsk region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on Tuesday, adding that Kyiv holds evidence suggesting many more may be embedded with Russian military units.

China has yet to issue a response. Although Beijing has not officially provided Russia with weaponry or tactical assistance, it remains uncertain whether these Chinese individuals joined the conflict independently. Both Russia and Ukraine permit foreign nationals to enlist in their respective militaries.

Zelenskyy mentioned directing Ukraine’s foreign minister to establish immediate contact with Chinese leadership. He noted that if verified, China would become the third nation backing Russia militarily—following Iran, which has delivered attack drones, and North Korea, which reportedly sent troops, according to U.S. and South Korean sources.

Since Russia's expanded invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, China has maintained robust diplomatic relations with Moscow and supported the economy by continuing trade, particularly in energy and consumer markets.

The Ukrainian president detailed a confrontation near the villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka in Donetsk, where Ukrainian troops encountered six Chinese fighters. Two were captured during the skirmish, Zelenskyy confirmed.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, announced that China’s top diplomat in Kyiv was summoned for clarification. On social media platform X, Sybiha commented that “Chinese nationals participating in Russia’s war campaign against Ukraine casts doubt on China’s professed neutrality and its credibility as a responsible permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.”

Meanwhile, Russia has dismissed a U.S. proposal for a comprehensive 30-day halt in hostilities. Observers believe both sides are preparing for a potential escalation in fighting during the spring and summer months.

“There are no visible signs of a ceasefire on the horizon—only clear indicators that the conflict will persist,” said Nico Lange, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis in Washington, in an assessment released Monday.

During a joint news briefing in Kyiv with visiting Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Zelenskyy announced that Belgium will provide a 1 billion euro ($1 billion) support package to Ukraine this year. The two leaders also discussed collaboration in defense manufacturing and potential Belgian investments in Ukraine's military industry.

Elsewhere, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russian foreign ministry representatives will join U.S. officials for scheduled talks in Istanbul on Thursday.

Though the specific agenda was not disclosed, the participation of diplomatic personnel hints that the discussions may focus on restoring embassy operations and re-expanding staffing levels, which have been reduced due to mutual diplomatic expulsions in recent years.

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Stay updated with AP’s coverage of the conflict in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine