CONSIDERING NUKES: KURT CAMPBELL, the National Security Council's Indo-Pacific coordinator, warned today that China’s rapid expansion is prompting U.S. allies in the region to consider the development of nuclear weapons capability to counter that threat, our own PHELIM KINE reports. “Many countries in Asia who have the potential to build nuclear weapons have chosen not to and have instead relied on the strength and predictability of the American extended deterrence… that is being challenged now,” Campbell said at an Aspen Institute event in Washington, D.C. The Pentagon warned last week that Beijing is aiming to expand its current stockpile of 400 nuclear warheads to around 1,500 by 2035. Campbell said current non-nuclear armed states in Asia see China’s pursuit of “one of, if not the most fundamental upgrades in military capabilities in history,” as a reason to consider building their own nuclear deterrents, alongside North Korean saber rattling and Russia's nuclear threats against Ukraine. Campbell offered a hopeful assessment of short-to-medium term U.S.-China relations despite challenges including Beijing’s worsening military intimidation of Taiwan. “The last thing that the Chinese need right now is an openly hostile relationship with the United States,” Campbell said. “They want a degree of predictability and stability. And we seek that as well.” RUSSIAN TROOPS STRIKE UKRAINE, MOVE ON VILLAGES: Russian troops conducted deadly air and ground attacks on several settlements in eastern Ukraine, Reuters’ VLADYSLAV SMILIANETS reports. The offensive killed nine civilians in the city of Bakhmut and other parts of the Donetsk region, while Ukrainian troops fired missiles in return, the regional governor said. In a nearby area, Russian forces moved to take a village near the city of Lysychansk. "They are bringing in more and more reserves” in an attempt to capture Bilohorivka, Luhansk governor SERHIY HAIDAY said on Ukrainian television. "There are constant attacks." The same day, Russian officials said its troops had shot down a Ukrainian drone over the Russian-occupied city of Sevastopol, suggesting that Ukraine is continuing its air attacks on its adversary following multiple strikes this week. RED CARPET FOR XI: Saudi Crown Prince MOHAMMED BIN SALMAN met with Chinese President XI JINPING in the Kingdom today as the pair usher in what Beijing’s leader has called “a new era” in relations between the two, Reuters’ AZIZ EL YAAKOUBI and EDUARDO BAPTISTA report . During their meeting, Xi and bin Salman strengthened ties with a series of strategic deals, including one with tech giant Huawei, whose expansion into the Gulf region has alarmed U.S. security officials. King SALMAN BIN ABDULAZIZ AL SAUD also signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership agreement" with the Chinese leader. It was part of the diplomatic charm offensive that our own PHELIM KINE laid out yesterday . It was a lavish welcome for Xi, who was escorted by members of the Saudi Royal Guard riding Arabian horses and carrying Chinese and Saudi flags to the royal palace in Riyadh. The friendly demonstration coincides with Saudi Arabia cozying up to Russia in recent weeks as OPEC+ cuts oil production worldwide. A meeting between the two included the crown prince "wishing him, his delegation a pleasant stay" in Saudi Arabia, state media reported. That’s quite different from a fist bump — the royal treatment Biden received from bin Salaman during his visit to the Kingdom in July. PEACETIME… OR A LONG TIME: Ukrainian President VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY predicted “peacetime” for his country next year during an event with European leaders Wednesday night, contrasting with the Kremlin’s comments that the war will be “a long process,” our own NICOLAS CAMUT reports . Zelenskyy’s remarks came after he was named the most powerful person in Europe during the annual POLITICO 28 ranking gala. During a Human Rights Council meeting earlier in the day, Putin said he expected the war in Ukraine to take much longer, a rare reference to the potential duration of the war from Moscow. The Kremlin head also warned that the risk of nuclear war was mounting, adding that Russia has “more advanced and modern” nuclear capability than any other country. He then walked back the warning, saying “we aren’t about to run around the world brandishing this weapon like a razor.” Putin has expressed his willingness to negotiate with the West to end the war, but refuses to concede Ukrainian territory claimed by Russian troops during its invasion, making it unlikely that potential diplomacy will be successful. OLD DRONES, NEW USE: Drones used to strike two Russian bases hundreds of miles from its border were modified Tu-141 surveillance aircraft left over from the Soviet era, our own ERIN BANCO and PAUL McLEARY reported Wednesday night , citing two people familiar with the operation. Ukraine has for months requested long-range missiles and drones from its Western allies, but the U.S. and Europe have so far refused to meet those requests over fears they would be used to strike inside Russia. Without additional resources to build up its long-range capabilities, Ukraine may need to continue to rely on the modified drones — and Moscow is now likely attempting to track those. “The key success factor was a surprise. Russia just did not expect anything of this sort,” said one of the individuals, who works with the Ukrainian government. “Now they will be prepared.” IT’S THURSDAY: Thanks for tuning in to NatSec Daily. This space is reserved for the top U.S. and foreign officials, the lawmakers, the lobbyists, the experts and the people like you who care about how the natsec sausage gets made. Aim your tips and comments at award@politico.com and mberg@politico.com , and follow us on Twitter at @alexbward and @mattberg33 . 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