China Urges Peace as Russia Deploys Hypersonic Missiles in Ukraine Conflict

Putin’s warning of potential strikes on Western countries sends shockwaves through NATO as China calls for calm amid escalating tensions in Ukraine.

At a Glance

  • Russia claims to have disrupted Ukraine’s military objectives for 2025 with a hypersonic missile strike
  • Putin hints at potential strikes on Western countries, describing the conflict as “global”
  • China urges restraint and calls for dialogue to ease tensions
  • NATO members label China a “decisive enabler” of the war
  • Ukraine and its allies condemn Russia’s missile strike as a significant escalation

Russia Escalates Conflict with Hypersonic Missile Strike

In a bold move that has heightened tensions in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a strike on a Ukrainian military facility using a new hypersonic ballistic missile called “Oreshnik.” This escalation comes as Russia claims to have derailed Ukraine’s military objectives for 2025, with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov stating, “We have, in fact, derailed the entire 2025 campaign.”

The missile attack targeted an aerospace manufacturing plant in Dnipro, drawing swift condemnation from Kyiv’s allies. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized the deployment as a “terrible escalation,” while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called for a strong international response. The United States has also blamed Moscow for escalating the conflict.

Putin’s Ominous Warning and Nuclear Decree

Adding fuel to the fire, Putin described the conflict as having a “global” nature and hinted at potential strikes on Western countries. The statement comes on the heels of Putin signing a decree allowing Russia to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear states supported by nuclear powers, a move that has been widely condemned as “irresponsible” by the White House, UK, and EU.

Even China’s foreign minister agrees. Lin Jian said, “China’s position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, and China advocates for resolving the crisis through political means and avoiding escalation of the situation.”

The escalation follows Ukraine’s use of US- and UK-supplied missiles on Russian territory, with a senior official reporting that the strike on Russia’s Bryansk region was carried out using US-supplied ATACMS missiles. This development has angered Moscow and raised concerns about the potential for further retaliation.

China’s Call for Restraint and De-escalation

Amidst the rising tensions, China has called for calm and restraint from all parties involved in the conflict. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “All parties should remain calm and exercise restraint, work to de-escalate the situation through dialogue and consultation, and create conditions for an early ceasefire.”

Despite positioning itself as a neutral party in the Ukraine war and not providing lethal assistance, China remains a close ally of Russia. This stance has prompted NATO members to label China a “decisive enabler” of the war, which Beijing has not condemned. The situation has led to calls for China to use its influence with Russia to de-escalate the conflict, with French President Emmanuel Macron urging Chinese President Xi Jinping to “use all his influence” with Putin.

International Response and Future Implications

As the conflict intensifies, NATO and Ukraine plan to hold talks in Brussels regarding the missile strike. The international community watches with bated breath as the situation unfolds, with concerns growing about the potential for further escalation and the risk of the conflict spilling beyond Ukraine’s borders.

As Russia continues to advance in eastern Ukraine, capturing small towns and villages, the use of hypersonic missiles and the threat of potential strikes on Western countries mark a dangerous new phase in the conflict. The international community now faces the challenge of finding a path to de-escalation while addressing the growing strategic risks posed by this escalation.

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