China's foreign ministry has denied accusations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the country is supplying weapons to Russia.

The denial was made on Friday, following Zelensky's remarks at a press conference the previous day that China was providing Russia with weapons and gunpowder, and also producing weapons on Russian territory.

A ministry spokesperson stated that China has never made lethal weapons available to any party in the Ukraine crisis.

China has maintained close economic ties with Russia during Moscow's ongoing war in Ukraine, but has sought to project an image of neutrality and denies involvement in the conflict.

The foreign ministry spokesperson emphasized China's commitment to promoting a ceasefire and ending the conflict, as well as encouraging peace talks.

The spokesperson also noted that Ukraine had publicly stated that most components in weapons imported by Russia came from the United States and other Western nations.