Russian Ambassador expressed his views on the possibility of using nuclear weapons

“If Russia is provoked by NATO, if Russia is attacked by NATO, why not? We are a nuclear power,” Russian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Dmitry Polyanskiy said when asked about the possibility of Russia deciding. use nuclear weapons.

“When you deal with a nuclear power, of course, you have to calculate every possible outcome of your behavior,” Mr. Polyanskiy said in an interview with the news agency. Sky News on March 23.

Earlier, in an interview with US media on March 22, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia would only use nuclear weapons in connection with the conflict in Ukraine if Moscow faces a “living threat”. still”.

“We have publicized the concept of homeland security, which provides for every reason to allow the use of nuclear weapons. So if there is a threat to our country that is vital to our country, nuclear weapons. can be used according to that concept,” Peskov said.

Peskov’s statement came when reporters repeatedly asked him “do you believe” that President Putin will not decide to use nuclear weapons in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.

Asked more about Russia’s attack in Ukraine, Mr. Peskov said Moscow has no intention of occupying the neighboring country, insisting the force military Russia does not attack civilians. He said that the main goal of the operation was to eliminate Ukraine’s potential military threat.

Responding to the Kremlin spokesman’s comments as well as Russia’s nuclear stance, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby called Russia’s interpretation of the possible use of nuclear weapons “dangerous”.

“This is not the behavior of a responsible nuclear power,” Mr. Kirby said. However, Kirby stressed that the Pentagon “has not seen anything that would lead to a conclusion that there is a need to change the status quo of strategic deterrence.”

Russia possesses the world’s leading nuclear arsenal. Russia’s deterrent force consists of a variety of strategic weapons, both nuclear and conventional, that can be used for both defensive and offensive purposes. According to the Russian definition, these forces are designed to “prevent acts of aggression against Russia and its allies, as well as to defeat the aggressor, including in a war involving the use of nuclear weapons”.

A few days after opening a special military operation in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin announced on February 28 that he would put strategic nuclear forces on high alert. The move raised concerns about the risk of nuclear war and drew criticism from the West.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this was a “dangerous” decision and would exacerbate tensions in Ukraine. White House press secretary Jen Psaki warned that represented an “totally unacceptable” escalation.