The U.S. secretary of state told the Financial Times that pressure from Beijing dissuaded Vladimir Putin from using nuclear weapons.

"We have reason to believe that China engaged Russia and said: 'Don't go there,'" outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times on Jan. 3.

Russia considered a nuclear strike on Ukraine. China has warned Moscow against using nuclear weapons, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the Financial Times. He notes the United States was “very concerned” because Russian President Vladimir Putin was probably considering a nuclear option against Ukraine.

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 118th Separate Mechanized Brigade walks at a position with an anti-drone rifle, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in a front line in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine December 3,

Russia's advances in Ukraine over the past week plummeted to levels last seen in July, according to an analysis by an independent investigative Russian news outlet. Newsweek has contacted the Russian government for comment via email.

"I could understand their [Russia's] feelings about that," U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said during a Jan. 7 press conference.