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Lavrov rules out nuclear use; Beijing backs Moscow
Summary
A look back at two diplomatic signals sent on 19 April 2022, one from Russia's foreign minister and one from China.
What did Moscow and Beijing say about the war on 19 April 2022? Two diplomatic signals stood out that day.
The first concerned nuclear weapons. Amid American allegations that Russia might use them, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the country would not do so and would continue to rely on conventional weapons in its invasion of Ukraine.
The second came from China. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said Beijing had decided to strengthen its strategic ties with Russia, confirming its support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. He spoke while Russian armed forces faced accusations of war crimes over the killing of civilians.
The statements were made as the Battle of Donbas was under way, part of the wider 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
