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 state news agency Tass.

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 what kind of ramifications that might have 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."

This is a developing story and will be updated with further information.