The U.S. secretary of state told the Financial Times that pressure from Beijing dissuaded Vladimir Putin from using nuclear weapons.

Russia considered a nuclear strike on Ukraine. China has warned Moscow against using nuclear weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times. He notes the United States was “very concerned” because Russian President Vladimir Putin was probably considering a nuclear option against Ukraine.

China and Russia are deepening energy ties, with natural gas exports exceeding contractual agreements. At the same time, in face of economic pressures, Russia is selling stakes in uranium deposits

The US was able to manage the threat of potential nuclear weapon use by Russia. This was achieved in a way that avoided direct conflict with Russia, states US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in an interview with The New York Times.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Russia had seriously considered using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but China dissuaded. Source: Blinken's comments to Financial Times Details: Blinken said the US was "very concerned" that Putin appeared to have at least contemplated the nuclear option.