Key facts
- China warned Russia against using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
- Zelenskyy stated he learned of China's intervention from European leaders at the NATO summit in Ankara.
- He also discussed the issue with U.S. President Donald Trump.
- Russia conducted nuclear military training in Belarus in May.
- A Russian MP, Viktor Perov, urged President Putin to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine.
China warned Russia against using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy stated that he learned of Beijing's intervention from European leaders during discussions about "China's role in ending the war" at the NATO summit in Ankara. He also mentioned discussing the topic with U.S. President Donald Trump, though he declined to share details of that conversation. Russia has previously conducted nuclear military training in Belarus in May. Despite pressure from some Russian politicians, President Vladimir Putin has not issued direct nuclear threats to Kyiv, citing that Ukraine's strikes have not caused sufficient damage to warrant a nuclear response. However, Saint Petersburg MP Viktor Perov has publicly called on Putin to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine to force a peace agreement.