The Wall Street Journal is reporting national security adviser Jake Sullivan has been holding undisclosed talks with top Russian officials in an attempt to reduce the risk of nuclear war. Over the weekend, Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned for the first time against the use of nuclear weapons amid rising tensions. During talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Beijing, Xi reportedly said that the international community should “jointly oppose the use or threats to use nuclear weapons.” It’s a rare rebuke of Russia’s posture for Beijing.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post reports the Biden administration has been privately encouraging Ukraine to appear open to negotiations with Moscow and to stop publicly rejecting peace talks. The move is not intended to lead to negotiations, but rather to avoid alienating other nations who fear a protracted war in Ukraine.