China was one of the signatories of the Budapest Memorandum, under which Ukraine handed over its nuclear weapons to Russia in exchange for certain security guarantees. However, Beijing interprets these guarantees in its own way.

Axar.az reports that this was stated by Ukraine’s former ambassador to the United States, Valeriy Chaly.

“China has an interesting official position regarding the Budapest Memorandum: it says it fully bears responsibility and confirms the guarantees given to Ukraine under this document. But Beijing interprets it as follows: China will not attack Ukraine with nuclear weapons. This is how they understand these ‘guarantees’,” Chaly said.

According to the diplomat, the Budapest Memorandum reveals Ukraine’s mistakes, particularly its failure to properly assess the realities.

Chaly noted that at the time there was an exaggerated belief in Kyiv that everything signed on paper would definitely be honored.