On February 25, during a routine press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning addressed concerns regarding allegations that the United Kingdom and France are preparing to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. According to Jin10, these claims were made by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, suggesting that the Western nations believe providing atomic bombs or at least 'dirty bombs' to Ukraine could create more favorable conditions for ending the conflict.
Mao Ning stated that she was not aware of the specific situation but reiterated China's consistent stance that nuclear weapons should not be used and nuclear war should not be fought. She emphasized the importance of adhering to international nuclear non-proliferation obligations.
Mao also noted that dialogue surrounding the Ukraine crisis has commenced, expressing hope that all parties involved will seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting, and binding peace agreement. She called on all relevant parties to remain calm and exercise restraint, avoiding actions that could lead to misunderstandings, misjudgments, or an escalation of the situation.