China, which has refused to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has repeatedly criticised what it calls illegal and unilateral sanctions.
"As far as financial sanctions are concerned, we do not approve of these, especially the unilaterally launched sanctions because they do not work well and have no legal grounds," Guo Shuqing, chairperson of the China Banking and Insurance Regulatory Commission, told a news conference.
"We will not participate in such sanctions. We will continue to maintain normal economic and trade exchanges with relevant parties," he said.
China and Russia have grown increasingly close in recent years, including as trading partners. Total trade between the two jumped 35.9 per cent last year to a record $146.9 billion, according to Chinese customs data, with Russia serving as a major source of oil, gas, coal and agriculture commodities, running a trade surplus with China.
"The impact from the sanctions on China's economy and financial sector is so far not too significant," Guo added.
"Overall they will not have much impact [on China] even in the future," Guo said, citing the resilience of China's economy and financial sector.
The action comes five days after Russia invaded its smaller neighbour, touching off widespread international condemnation and offers of military assistance from the 27-member nation EU and elsewhere.
Andrii Sybiha, head of Zelenskyys office, said on his official Facebook page that the documents are on the way to Brussels.
Photos of Zelenskyy were posted on Facebook. He was flanked by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and chairman of the parliament Ruslan Stefanchuk.
The history is being created now,” the post said.
The application was largely symbolic, however. The process could take years.
EU membership must be unanimously approved by all members.
Ukraine has been weakened by endemic corruption for many years, making the benchmarks of approval extremely hard to reach.
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