Their loss could allow the U.S. to turn its full attention to China, according to an official briefed on the talks.

Beijing believes that the US would soon turn its full attention eastward if Russia loses in Ukraine, said a report.

Beijing fears that if Russia loses in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, the US would shift its entire focus to tackling China. The candid admission came from Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi while talking to European leaders, something that really surprised officials in Brussels, reported South China Morning Post (SCMP).