China says Russia's push for Nord Stream blast inquiry was 'realistic option'

China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday Russia's bid to get the U.N. Security Council to ask for an independent inquiry into explosions on the Nord Stream gas pipelines was a meaningful option in the search for the truth.

Russia failed on Monday to get the 15-member council to pass a draft resolution asking U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to establish an international investigation into the "sabotage" and identify who was to blame.

Russia proposed the draft resolution last month, just days before the first anniversary of its invasion of Ukraine.