China assured Finland it would not allow Russia to use nuclear weapons – Finnish president

Finnish President Alexander Stubb has assured that China would not permit Russia to employ nuclear weapons, according to an interview with Politico. When asked about the prospect of Russia utilizing nuclear arms, Stubb asserted that Beijing was working to curb the escalation of Russia's conflict with Ukraine. He credited a visit from China's foreign minister to Finland this summer for this assurance, stating that the Chinese foreign minister had explicitly promised, "We will never allow this to happen."

Stubb emphasized that this statement from China serves as a significant deterrent against potential nuclear escalation. On July 5, Stubb met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Helsinki to discuss Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and broader European security matters. Despite China being one of Moscow's most crucial economic and diplomatic allies, Stubb maintained that Russia gains nothing from Europe fixating on the possibility of nuclear escalation or a direct attack on NATO.

In his typically measured tone, Stubb advised Europeans to remain composed and vigilant, urging them not to dramatize the situation but instead to prepare for the worst to avoid it. He also downplayed the likelihood of a Russian attack on NATO, suggesting Moscow is more inclined to provoke the alliance to test its response rather than engage in a full-scale war.

Moreover, Stubb indicated a growing potential for direct political dialogue between Europe and Russia, given the current state of affairs. While Europe is inching closer to such conversations, Stubb stressed that prioritizing support for Ukraine remains the top priority, advocating for an immediate resumption of dialogue to prevent misunderstandings.