Concerns about the possibility of using nuclear weapons in the Russo-Ukraine war continue. Meanwhile, the Kremlin has said that Russia will use nuclear weapons only if it faces an “existential threat”. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov gave this information. 27 days have passed since the ongoing conflict between the two neighboring countries.
In an interview with CNN International on Tuesday, Peskov said that we would only use nuclear weapons if we faced an “existential threat”. “Our idea is of domestic security and it is public,” he said. You can read about all the reasons related to the use of nuclear weapons. He said, ‘So if there is a threat to the existence of our country, then according to our concept, it can be used by them.’
Regarding Russia’s activities in Ukraine, Peskov said that they do not aim to capture the neighbour. At the same time, he insisted that his country was not targeting civilians. The spokesman said the main objective of the “action” is to “get rid of Ukraine’s military forces”. “That’s why our military is targeting only military targets and military-related items on Ukrainian soil, not civilians,” he said.
Just days after attacking Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had put the country’s strategic nuclear forces on high alert. Since this announcement made on 28 February, concerns have increased around the world.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby on Peskov’s statement called Moscow’s potential use of nuclear weapons “dangerous”. “This should not be the way a responsible nuclear power works,” he said.
The special thing is that Russia has the world’s largest stockpile of nuclear weapons. On the other hand, Western defense officials say they have not seen activities related to the mobilization of Russia’s nuclear forces since Putin’s announcement in February. Whereas, a warning has also been issued by Moscow that if the US and NATO allies provide fighter aircraft to Ukraine, it can intensify and extend the war.
Beatrice Finn, the leader of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, warned that Putin was using nuclear “blackmail” to keep Western countries away from attacking Ukraine.