No one can win a nuclear war, say 5 world nuclear powers

(News 1st); China, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France have pledged to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and nuclear war, in accordance with a joint statement released by the Kremlin on Monday (4).

It stated that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council consider it their primary responsibility to avert nuclear war and reduce strategic risks, while also trying to engage with other countries to establish a secure atmosphere.

"As nuclear use would have far-reaching consequences, we also affirm that nuclear weapons — for as long as they continue to exist — should serve defensive purposes, deter aggression, and prevent war," according to the statement's English translation.

The statement from the so-called P5 group comes as bilateral relations between the United States and Moscow have fallen to their lowest point since the end of the Cold War, while relations between Washington and China are also spiraling downward over a range of 

dissensions

Geopolitical tensions between Moscow and Western countries have increased over concerns about Russia's military buildup near neighboring Ukraine. Moscow claims it can move its troops around its own territory as it deems necessary.

The Pentagon in November sharply increased its estimate of China's projected nuclear weapons arsenal over the coming years, stating that Beijing could pose 700 warheads by 2027 and possibly 1,000 by 2030.

Furthermore, the U.S has frequently urged China to join it and Russia in a new arms control treaty.

France also released the statement, emphasizing that the five powers reiterated their determination for nuclear arms control, disarmament and shall continue bilateral and multilateral approaches to nuclear arms control