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Lavrov rules out nuclear use as China backs Moscow
Summary
A retrospective on 19 April 2022, when Russia's foreign minister dismissed nuclear fears and Beijing reaffirmed its ties with Moscow.
What did Moscow and Beijing signal on 19 April 2022, as the Battle of Donbas took shape? Two messages emerged, one aimed at reassuring the West and one at showing that Russia was not isolated.
The first came after American allegations that Russia might use nuclear weapons in its invasion of Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that his country would not use them and would continue to rely on conventional weapons. The statement answered the nuclear threats that had become part of the discussion around the war.
The second came from China. Deputy Foreign Minister Le Yucheng said that Beijing had decided to strengthen its strategic ties with Russia. He confirmed support for President Putin at a time when Russian forces faced accusations of war crimes over the killing of civilians.
Why it mattered
Taken together, the two statements showed how Russia was handling pressure on two fronts. On nuclear weapons, Lavrov's words offered a public assurance about the means Russia intended to use. On diplomacy, China's stance showed that accusations over civilian deaths had not led it to distance itself from Moscow.
For readers following the war, the day showed a conflict being fought not only in Donbas but also through public statements about weapons and alliances.
