Russian Press Secretary Won’t Rule Out Use Of Nuclear Weapons

Topline

Dmitry Peskov, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s press secretary, would not rule out the possibility of Russia using nuclear weapons if it is faced with an “existential threat,” and admitted Russia has not achieved its goals yet in its invasion of Ukraine in an interview with CNN on Tuesday.

NOVOSIBIRSK, RUSSIA – FEBRUARY 8: (RUSSIA OUT) Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and his press … [+] secretary Dmitry Peskov (R) enter the hall during the Presidential Council on Sceince and Education meeting in Novosibirsk on February 8, 2018 in Novosibirsk, Russia. Vladimir Putin, who is widely expected to be re-elected during the Presidential Elections 2018 planned for March 18, is on a trip to the Siberian city of Novosibirsk. (Photo by Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

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Key Facts

When asked by CNN if Russia would consider using its nuclear weapons, Peskov replied, “If it is an existential threat for our country, then it can be.”

Peskov said that Putin “hasn’t achieved yet” his goals in Russia’s invasion, with the army not having yet taken the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv or topple the Ukrainian government after three weeks of war and thousands of reported Russian casualties.

Contrary to recent reports that Russia had shifted its strategy in Ukraine following unforeseen setbacks, Peskov said the invasion was “going on strictly in accordance with the plans and the purposes that were established beforehand.”

Peskov reiterated Russia is aiming to eliminate Ukraine’s “military potential” and to ensure Ukraine’s neutrality.

Peskov said Russia has only targeted the Ukrainian military in its attacks during the invasion, contradicting reports from the United Nations and other independent bodies confirming it has targeted civilians or at the very least been indiscriminate in its strikes.

Key Background

Peskov’s statement on use of nuclear weapons aligns with Moscow’s long-stated policies, in which it reserves the right to use nuclear weapons in retaliation to an attack using weapons of mass destruction as well as one using conventional weapons where the existence of the Russian state is deemed to be threatened. In February, three days after Russia first invaded Ukraine, Putin declared he was putting his nuclear forces on “special combat readiness,” according to the New York Times. Following the shift, President Joe Biden elected not to raise the U.S.’s nuclear alert levels, and said Americans should not be concerned about the possibility of nuclear war with Russia, according to Reuters. The weekend before the invasion, Putin held visible exercises of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, including ballistic missiles and hypersonic systems.

Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/masonbissada/2022/03/22/russian-press-secretary-wont-rule-out-use-of-nuclear-weapons/