The German foreign ministry said on Friday that the Chinese ambassador in Berlin has been called in for urgent talks over media reports claiming Russian soldiers were being trained in China. The ministry described these reports as “deeply disturbing,” suggesting they point to support for Russia from Chinese state actors, especially the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. “Anything that helps Russia continue its war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our security,” the ministry stated. On May 20, the German daily Die Welt reported, citing classified documents from European intelligence services, that the Chinese army had secretly trained several hundred Russian soldiers on its soil, some of whom were later deployed in Ukraine.
On Friday, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed its forces had “completely” taken control of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine. Moscow has long sought to capture this city as part of its advance through the Donetsk region. The battle for Kostiantynivka, which had about 78,000 residents before the war, has been ongoing since late 2025 and is now the main focus of Russia’s efforts along a front stretching over 1,000 kilometers. “The city is now entirely under our control,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. There was no independent confirmation of this claim.
A massive Russian glide bomb strike hit the center of the northern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Friday, killing at least four people, including a child, and injuring 27, according to regional governor Oleh Hryhorov. Other areas in the Sumy region and southeastern Ukraine, closer to the front lines, also came under Russian attack, leaving a total of six dead. After the attack, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Ukraine’s allies to increase pressure on Russia “so that the terror can be stopped.” The Sumy region, which borders Russia, has faced near-constant attacks, and Moscow has been trying to expand what it calls a buffer zone there.
Ukraine is looking for ways to ease tensions with Warsaw, Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Friday. He added that Ukraine, Poland’s eastern neighbor, should come to terms with its history in order to join the European Union. Diplomatic relations between the two countries worsened after Polish President Karol Nawrocki revoked Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s top Polish honor because Zelenskyy had named an army unit after insurgents who massacred Poles during World War II. Tusk, a political rival of Nawrocki, has been trying to calm the situation and said he received positive signals from Friday’s meeting between Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski in Warsaw. Tusk mentioned proposals for consultations between historians and talks between religious leaders from both countries.
Lithuania’s president said on Friday that his country wants to be part of Western nuclear deterrence against Russia, as it moves to lift a ban on deploying atomic weapons. Speaking at a press conference in Berlin, President Gitanas Nauseda said Lithuania is taking steps to remove the constitutional ban and added: “We would like to be an integral part of this nuclear deterrence.” “A few days ago, I initiated a constitutional amendment to remove the existing restriction on the possible deployment of nuclear weapons in Lithuania,” he said. Shortly after, a group of 50 Lithuanian lawmakers submitted the amendment, which still needs to go before parliament.
The World Athletics Council on Friday reaffirmed its decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition, four years after it first imposed sanctions over the invasion of Ukraine. World Athletics voted in 2023 to end an eight-year doping ban on the Russian Athletics Federation, but the separate ban over the invasion remains in place.The invasion of Ukraine led to the exclusion of their athletes. “We offered options for the Council to consider on this issue, but the original decision stands regarding the sanctions that protect the integrity and fairness of our competitions, since there has been no real progress toward peace negotiations,” World Athletics President Seb Coe said in a statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs based on the statement Germany has described reports that Russian soldiers are being trained in China as deeply disturbing
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What did Germany actually say about the reports
Germany called the reports deeply disturbing This means they find the idea of Russian soldiers training in China very worrying and alarming
2 Why would Germany care if Russian soldiers train in China
Germany is a key member of NATO and the European Union They see Russia as a threat due to the war in Ukraine If China helps Russia militarily it could strengthen Russias army which Germany sees as a direct danger to European security
3 Is it confirmed that Russian soldiers are being trained in China
No Germany is reacting to reports They are expressing concern based on these reports but it is not an official proven fact yet
4 What does deeply disturbing mean in simple terms
It means very upsetting or extremely worrying Its a strong diplomatic phrase to show serious concern and disapproval
5 Does this mean Germany is accusing China of helping Russia
Yes indirectly By calling the reports deeply disturbing Germany is signaling that if the reports are true China would be actively supporting Russias military which would be a major problem for Germany and its allies
IntermediateLevel Questions
6 How does this relate to the war in Ukraine
Germany supports Ukraine against Russia If China trains Russian soldiers it helps Russia replenish its troops and improve their skills This would make it harder for Ukraine to defend itself and prolong the war which Germany strongly opposes
7 Has China officially denied these reports
China has not issued a formal denial specifically regarding this German statement However China has consistently denied providing direct military aid or training to Russia for the war in Ukraine claiming a neutral position
8 What is Germanys relationship with China like right now
Its tense Germany wants to keep trade with China but also feels pressured by the US and its own allies to take a harder line against China for supporting Russia This deeply disturbing comment shows that tension is increasing
9 Could this lead to new sanctions against China
Possibly but it
