Russia Warns China of 'Catastrophic' Nuclear Escalation Threat

Russia has warned of the possibility of a clash between nuclear powers at a forum in Beijing.

Addressing the Xiangshan Security Forum in China, Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu said that the U.S. and NATO continue "to try to undermine Russia's security and deprive us of the will to resist," according to Russian state news agency Tass.

Shoigu accused the West of trying to expand the war started by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine to the Asia-Pacific as he claimed that NATO countries are increasing their military presence in the region under the cover of an "ostentatious desire for dialogue." The Russian defense minister also said that the West's support for Ukraine showed that it is seeking a "strategic defeat of Russia."

Russia has pitched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine as a proxy battle between Moscow and the West, with the Kremlin and its propagandists condemning the military assistance given to Kyiv by its allies, predominantly NATO members.

The prospect of nuclear weapons being used has hung over the conflict, although many experts have said that the nuclear threat has waned.

But Shoigu repeated Kremlin rhetoric about Russia's status as a nuclear superpower and hinted at possible ramifications as Moscow faces tough sanctions and global condemnation.

"The Western line of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, " he said on Monday, adding that such a scenario "is fraught with catastrophic consequences."

He also described Moscow's decision to withdraw from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty as a way to restore "parity with the United States, which has not ratified this treaty." The withdrawal from the CTBT on October 25 was followed by an announcement of a large-scale nuclear exercise on the same day.

During his visit to Beijing, Shoigu met Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, according to the Chinese state newspaper the Global Times. Zhang said that China is ready to work with Russia to actively address "various security threats and challenges" the publication added.

China is officially neutral on Putin's invasion of Ukraine although it is reported to oppose the Kremlin's nuclear rhetoric. It has, however, increased its trade ties with Russia over the course of the war.

There was a positive diplomatic development between China and the U.S. last week when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Washington and spoke of "differences" as well as "important common interests" between the countries.

Update 10/30/23, 9:30 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with further details.