Zelensky warns new evil axis of China and Russia could spark World War 3 as Xi backs bloodthirsty Putin

VOLODYMYR Zelensky has warned if China backs Russia over the war in Ukraine they could spark World War 3.

Ukraine's hero president issued the dire warning as he met with Joe Biden during a surprise visit to Kyiv.

In a newspaper interview separate from his summit with the US President, Zelensky issued the warning in no uncertain terms.

It came as the US claimed China is considering arming Russia to help Vladimir Putin win the war in Ukraine.

Zelensky told German daily Die Welt: "For us, it is important that China does not support the Russian Federation in this war. In fact, I would like it to be on our side.

"At the moment, however, I don't think it's possible."

He added: "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."

Putin will be stewing over Biden's visit as today he is due to meet with top Chinese diplomat, Wang Yi.

The duelling visits are highly symbolic because China has been warned over backing Russia.

Beijing has strongly denied Washington's claims that was considering handing over weapons to Moscow.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said China was now "considering providing lethal support" to Moscow ranging "from ammunition to the weapons themselves".

Blinken's accusations came as relations between China and the United States were further strained after Washington shot down a Chinese spy balloon earlier this month.

He said that Biden had warned his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, as long ago as last March against sending weapons to Russia.

The US has repeatedly warned China against providing support to Russia for its war in Ukraine, which is nearing its one-year anniversary on February 24.

It comes as:

• Joe Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky
• Russia is feared to be massing 500,000 troops for a new assault on Ukraine
• The world is counting down to the anniversary of the war on February 24
• Bloody trench combat is raging across the eastern front - with fierce fighting in Bakhmut and Vuhledar
• It is estimated more than 143,000 Russian soldiers have died in Ukraine
• Ukrainian defense chief Oleksiy Danilov vowed the war would end with tanks on Red Square
• Leaked documents reveal Putin's own spies believe he is a 'bullying narcissistic liar'
• The Sun Online visited Europe's border with Russia - a place where spies are everywhere

But a strong rebuke, China's foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said: "It is the United States and not China that is endlessly shipping weapons to the battlefield.

"We urge the United States to earnestly reflect on its own actions, and do more to alleviate the situation, promote peace and dialogue, and stop shifting blame and spreading false information."

Moscow's offensive in Ukraine is a sensitive issue for Beijing, which has sought to position itself as neutral while offering diplomatic backing to its strategic ally Russia.

China said it would publish this week a proposal to find a "political solution" to the Ukraine crisis, with Beijing's top diplomat telling a conference the country is "on the side of dialogue".

And today, the EU has also warned China about providing weapons to Russia.

Josep Borrell said he told the Chinese foreign minister that "for us, it would be a red line in our relationship".

He went on: "He told me that they are not going to do it, that they don't plan to do it.

"But we will remain vigilant".

Fears the China could wade into the war came as Biden made an unannounced visit to Kyiv.

Air raid sirens could be heard ringing around the city as Biden arrived in the capital which remains under Russian attack.

Biden met with Zelensky on the highly secretive and unprecedented trip.

The two embraced near a memorial dedicated to Ukrainian servicemen.

The US President vowed Washington will stand with Kyiv for "as long as it takes."

And the Ukrainian leader hailed Biden's visit, saying it shows Russia has "no chance" to win.

"This is an unequivocal signal that Russian attempts to win will have no chance," said Zelensky.

"Together we will protect our cities, our people from the terror of Russia."

Biden was wearing aviator sunglasses, while Zelensky was sporting his trademark combat fatigues during the walkabout.

They were followed by a hoard of photographers and video cameras capturing the historic moment.

Biden pledged another $500million (£400million) to support Ukraine, and Zelensky said they discussed long-range weapons.

The latest aid package is expected to include more HIMARS missiles, more artillery shells, and radars.

The White House is also expected to announce a new raft of sanctions against Russian elites and companies.

Biden last visited Ukraine in 2017 on his final foreign trip while serving as vice president for Barack Obama.

His visit came just days before the first anniversary of Russia's invasion on February 24.

And it occurred as the shadow of a huge new bloody onslaught looms over the war-torn nation.

Putin is believed to be preparing for a massive new offensive in the coming weeks to coincide with the war's first anniversary on February 24.

It has been believed up to 500,000 troops are massing for the attack - with bloody fighting still raging in the East.

Vuhledar and Bakhmut have devolved into the bloodiest battles of the conflict with grinding trench warfare.

Vlad's future is now believed to be tied to his success or failure in Ukraine.

Russia expected to be welcomed as conquering liberators when they staged their invasion nearly one year ago.

But instead of flags and cheering crowns, they were met with gunfire and brave resistance.

Vlad is believed to be desperate to try and achieve something in Ukraine.

He is facing internal political pressure with the anniversary just days away - with Russia having little military success during the campaign despite massive losses.

It is believed that if Putin continues to fail in the war, his regime could collapse - and it could have dire consequences for Russia.

Kyiv intelligence has confirmed they expect a massive new attack sometime in the next week.