US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Russia had seriously considered using nuclear weapons in Ukraine, but China dissuaded it from doing so.
Source: Blinken's comments to the Financial Times
Details: Blinken said the US was "very concerned" that Putin appeared to have at least contemplated the nuclear option.
Quote from Blinken: "Even if the probability went from 5 to 15 per cent, when it comes to nuclear weapons, nothing is more serious...
...We have reason to believe that China engaged Russia and said: 'Don’t go there'."
Details: Blinken suggested a similar dynamic might have occurred when the US informed China about Russia’s plans to launch a nuclear weapon into space.
He emphasised that Putin has faced a strategic defeat, with NATO now larger and better resourced than ever.
Blinken also dismissed claims that the Biden administration had delayed providing weapons to Ukraine, explaining that it needed to consider factors such as Ukraine's ability to operate and maintain the systems.
Background: US intelligence believes that Washington's decision to allow Ukraine to launch US-made weapons deep into Russia has not increased the risk of a nuclear attack by Russia.
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herbieLmao on January 4th, 2025 at 15:38 UTC »
Bad news: Putin has lost his mind and wanted to go nuclear
Good news: china has not lost its mind and prevented that
atnight_owl on January 4th, 2025 at 11:24 UTC »
Using nuclear weapons in Ukraine could be the biggest mistake Russia ever makes. It would send a powerful signal to countries worldwide that the only true guarantee of sovereignty lies in having a shit ton of nuclear weapons.
This perception could potentially push countries like Iran, Japan, South Korea, the UAE, Poland, Turkey, Greece, and Nordic states, among others, to consider developing their own nuclear capabilities.
Do_itsch on January 4th, 2025 at 10:20 UTC »
This crazy psychopath really wants to see the world burn.