There will be a world war if China supports Russia: Ukraine prez Zelenskiy

With four days away left for the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, its President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Monday warned China against supporting Russia as it could lead to a world war.

"For us, it is important that China does not support the Russian Federation in this war," German daily Die Welt quoted Zelenskiy as saying. "In fact, I would like it to be on our side. At the moment, however, I don't think it's possible," he added.

He then said, "But I do see an opportunity for China to make a pragmatic assessment of what is happening here because if China allies itself with Russia, there will be a world war, and I do think that China is aware of that."

It comes after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi of consequences if China provides material support to Russia.

After the meeting with the top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi on the sidelines of the annual Munich Security Conference, Blinked said that China has to face implications and consequences if they provide material support to Russia's special military operation in Ukraine.

"On Russia's brutal war against Ukraine, the Secretary warned about the implications and consequences if China provides material support to Russia or assistance with systemic sanctions evasion," Price said.

He further stated, "The Secretary condemned today's ICBM test by the DPRK as the latest destabilizing act carried out by Pyongyang, and emphasized the need for responsible powers to respond to such significant international challenges. The Secretary reaffirmed there had been no change to the longstanding U.S. one-China policy, and he underscored the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Monday to meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, a striking gesture of solidarity that comes days before the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of the country.

Biden spent more than five hours in the Ukrainian capital, meeting Zelenskyy at Mariinsky Palace, honouring the country's fallen soldiers and meeting with U.S. embassy staff in the war-torn country.

"One year later, Kyiv stands," Biden said, jamming his finger for emphasis on his podium decorated with the U.S. and Ukrainian flags. "And Ukraine stands. Democracy stands. The Americans stand with you, and the world stands with you."

The Ukraine visit comes at a crucial moment in the war as Biden looks to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine as the war is expected to intensify with both sides preparing for spring offensives.