Russia will deploy nuclear weapons if the state faces an existential threat, the Kremlin warned this week. President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the warning in an interview with Swiss newspaper Die Weltwoche, pointing to Moscow's nuclear doctrine.
Peskov described Russia's nuclear policy as "bold, simple, and understandable." He said it sets out clear conditions for when atomic weapons would be used.
"If something endangers the idea of the existence of the Russian state, then nuclear weapons will be used. Otherwise no," Peskov told the publication.
The spokesman dismissed other claims about Russia's nuclear intentions as mere speculation. He was responding to concerns raised by European capitals about Moscow's capacity to trigger a regional conflict.
NATO leaders met in Ankara this week and reaffirmed their commitment to collective defence. They described Russia as a "long-term threat" to Euro-Atlantic security and stability.
On the war in Ukraine, Peskov said President Volodymyr Zelensky had promised voters he would end the fighting. He argued Zelensky could achieve this by pulling troops out of the Donbas and accepting Russian control of the territories, according to the spokesman.
Peskov framed the conflict as Russia against a broader coalition. He noted that Ukraine is backed by several European nations and the United States, which have sent Kyiv "millions of tons of weapons."
The Russian official's comments come as tensions between Moscow and the West remain high. NATO has steadily strengthened its eastern flank in response to Russian aggression.
