KYIV - China asked Ukraine to refrain from launching attacks on Vladivostok in the Russian Far East, where a Chinese vice premier attended an international economic forum, sources familiar with the matter said Friday.
Beijing's request was intended to ensure the safety of the Chinese delegation led by Ding Xuexiang, ranked No. 6 in the ruling Communist Party's Politburo Standing Committee, at the four-day Eastern Economic Forum through Friday. Ukraine promised it will not attack the port city, the sources said.
Russia exports crude oil to China and uses revenues from the shipments to continue its war against Ukraine. Kyiv was believed to have accepted Beijing's request in the hope of Chinese involvement in future efforts toward ending the war.
Ukraine has increased its drone attacks on Russian oil refinery facilities and logistics bases to damage Moscow's ability to continue fighting.
Even though Vladivostok is more than 6,500 kilometers away from Ukraine, Beijing may have feared that Kyiv could carry out drone attacks similar to a 2025 "spider web" special operation, in which more than 100 unmanned aircraft were smuggled into Russia to strike remote air bases deep inside the country.
A pickup truck that accompanied the motorcade of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Vladivostok was fitted with an anti-aircraft machine gun, according to media reports.
In addition to Putin and Ding, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Mongolian Prime Minister Nyam-Osoryn Uchral were among the participants at the economic forum.
