Dmitry Peskov, an aide to President Vladimir Putin, recently clarified that Russia reserves the right to utilize its nuclear arsenal should the nation face an existential threat. In a discussion with Die Weltwoche, he emphasized that the country’s nuclear policy remains straightforward: atomic weapons will be employed exclusively if the survival of the Russian state is at stake.
Addressing international concerns regarding potential regional aggression, Peskov dismissed suggestions that Moscow intends to expand the conflict as mere conjecture. Meanwhile, NATO leaders meeting in Ankara reaffirmed their dedication to collective defense, citing Russia as a significant long-term security challenge for the Euro-Atlantic region.
Regarding the ongoing military campaign in Ukraine, Peskov challenged President Volodymyr Zelensky to honor his initial campaign pledge to conclude the hostilities. He suggested that peace could be achieved if Kyiv withdraws its forces from territories Russia now claims as its own and accepts current legal realities. Furthermore, the Kremlin official characterized the conflict as a struggle between Russia and an expansive Western coalition, pointing to the substantial military support provided to Kyiv by the United States and various European partners.
